BERLIN, Germany — Five U.S. servicepeople were killed when a military aircraft crashed over the eastern Mediterranean Sea during a training mission, U.S. European Command said Sunday.
The aircraft crashed on Friday evening. EUCOM said all five crew members were killed when it went down “during a routine air refueling mission as part of military training.”
The title of a statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released by the Pentagon on Sunday afternoon referred to the aircraft as a helicopter. There are currently four helicopter squadrons from Hampton Roads deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean with two carrier strike groups.
"We mourn the tragic loss of five U.S. service members during a training accident in the Mediterranean Sea early Saturday morning," Austin said in the statement.
"While we continue to gather more information about this deadly crash, it is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe. They represent the best of America. We will remember their service and their sacrifice.
"My prayers are with the patriots we have lost today and their families, loved ones, and teammates."
The military initially announced the crash on Saturday and said that the cause is under investigation, but there are no indications of any hostile activity involved. It said on Sunday that “search and rescue efforts began immediately, including nearby U.S. military aircraft and ships.”
European Command said that out of respect for the families of the service members and in line with Department of Defense policy, the identities of the crew members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notifications are completed.
It wasn’t immediately clear what military service the aircraft belonged to. The Air Force has sent additional squadrons to the region, and the Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Groups, both of which have an array of aircraft on board their carriers, have also been operating in the eastern Mediterranean.