3 soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Alaska

On the loss of three soldiers and a fourth injured in a collision of two U.S. Army choppers in Alaska, and the connection to the Fairbanks bus wreck

Three men were killed and a fourth was injured in a crash of two U.S. Army choppers in Alaska.

Three soldiers died at the scene of the crash and two died on their way to the hospital. A fourth soldier was being treated at a hospital for injuries, the Army said in a statement.

Each AH-64 Apache helicopter was carrying two people at the time of the crash, John Pennell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Alaska, said earlier Thursday.

“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 the Army 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.”

The book ” Into the Wild” and the movie were based on the idea of the town closest to the former bus that was left in the wilderness. The bus was removed and taken to Fairbanks in 2020.

First Airborne Collision between Active-Duty Airborne Particles and a High-Redshift Aerial Blaster in Alaska

The suspension of air operations took effect immediately and units were grounded until they completed their training, according to an Army spokesman. For active-duty units, the training is to take place between May 1 and 5. Army National Guard and Reserve units will have until May 31 to complete the training.

The Army decided to ground flight units for training due to the safety of the pilots and to make sure they are doing everything they can to prevent accidents.

Military investigators were making their way to Alaska’s interior, with a team from Fort Novosel, Alabama, expected to arrive at the crash site by Saturday, said John Pennell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Alaska. There was no new information on the crash Friday.

There is no indication of a pattern between the two crashes, according to the Army.

Located on the Parks Highway, the community is a popular place for people to spend the night while visiting Denali Park, which is home to the continent’s tallest mountain.