The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashed in Washington, DC, after colliding with an American Airlines flight was engaged in a classified training mission designed to ensure the safe evacuation of top US officials in the event of a national emergency, officials confirmed.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, responsible for these covert operations, was conducting a routine nighttime re-training exercise when the tragic incident occurred.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in a press briefing that the exercise followed a designated flight corridor and was part of annual preparations for scenarios such as terrorist or nuclear attacks. However, he declined to disclose further details due to the classified nature of the mission.
The crash has sparked scrutiny over the safety of conducting such training near Reagan National Airport, one of the country's busiest airspaces.
Critics argue that the lack of advanced collision-avoidance technology on the helicopter may have contributed to the accident. Despite this, officials defended the necessity of realistic training exercises, emphasizing the importance of preparing for real-world crises.
The three military personnel on board—Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, and an unidentified female pilot—tragically lost their lives. The last known activation of a continuity of operations mission occurred on September 11, 2001, underscoring the critical role such exercises play in national security.
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