2 killed in military helicopter crash in California

Two soldiers were killed when the U.S. Army Apache helicopter they were flying in -- which was similar to those pictured here -- crashed during routine training exercises Saturday. File Photo by Brian Harris/U.S. Army/UPI

Jan. 21 (UPI) — A pilot and co-pilot were killed when their U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter crashed in California this weekend.

Fox News said the incident happened early Saturday during a routine training mission at the National Training Center in San Bernardino County’s Fort Irwin.

“The cause is currently under investigation and next-of-kin notifications are ongoing, therefore we can provide no further details at this time,” Lt. Col. Jason S. Brown, a spokesman for the Army at the Pentagon, said in a statement.

The Orange County Register said the soldiers were assigned to the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of two 4th Infantry Division Soldiers at the National Training Center today,” KKTV quoted Major General Randy A. George, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, as saying. “Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to their families and friends during this difficult and painful time. The loss of any soldier truly saddens everyone here at the Mountain Post and it is a tremendous loss to the team.”

This is the first known fatal mishap for the U.S. Army this year.

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