Five U.S. special operations troops lost their lives on Friday when their helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea during a training mission, as announced by U.S. officials on Sunday.
The U.S. European Command reported that immediate search and rescue operations were initiated after the crash, with an ongoing investigation into its cause.
According to two U.S. officials speaking on the condition of anonymity, the individuals aboard the helicopter were U.S. Army special operations personnel.
In response to Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, the United States deployed two aircraft carriers, the Ford and the Eisenhower, along with supporting ships and numerous aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean. This deployment serves as a deterrent, aiming to prevent the conflict from escalating further.
On Sunday, President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed their condolences in a joint statement.
