The U.S. Army is launching an investigation after three soldiers were killed and one injured when two AH-64 Apache helicopters crashed during a training mission near Healy, Alaska on Thursday.
The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, according to the 11th Airborne Division.
“Two soldiers were declared dead at the scene of the crash, and a third died en route to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital,” the Army said in a statement. “The fourth soldier is being treated at Fairbanks Memorial for injuries sustained in the crash.”
The fatal training accident is the second for the Army in less than a month. Last month, nine service members were killed when two HH60 Black Hawk helicopters went down during a training exercise near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
“This is an incredible loss for these soldiers’ families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division,” Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we are making the full resources of the Army available to support them.”
A team from the Army Combat Readiness Center based at Fort Novosel, Alabama, has been sent to investigate the accident, the Army said.
