Three dead in U.S. Navy helicopter crash

Published: Jan. 17, 2008 at 6:55 AM
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NAV2003032964 - Umm Qasr, Iraq,  March 28  (UPI) -- A member of Commander Task Unit (CTU-55.4.3) directs an MH 53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the "Vanguards" of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) for launch at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. CTU-55.4.3 consists of U.S. Naval Special Clearance Team-1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units 6 and 8, Fleet Diving Unit 3 from the United Kingdom, and a Clearance Dive Team from Australia, all are conducting deep/shallow water mine counter measure operations to clear shipping lanes.  The unit was instrumental in clearing the way for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Landing Ship Logistic RFA Sir Galahad (L 3005), which delivered the first wave of humanitarian aid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate IraqÕs weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.     dg/U.S. Navy photo/Bob Houlihan  UPI .
NAV2003032964 - Umm Qasr, Iraq, March 28 (UPI) -- A member of Commander Task Unit (CTU-55.4.3) directs an MH 53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the "Vanguards" of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) for launch at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. CTU-55.4.3 consists of U.S. Naval Special Clearance Team-1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units 6 and 8, Fleet Diving Unit 3 from the United Kingdom, and a Clearance Dive Team from Australia, all are conducting deep/shallow water mine counter measure operations to clear shipping lanes. The unit was instrumental in clearing the way for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Landing Ship Logistic RFA Sir Galahad (L 3005), which delivered the first wave of humanitarian aid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate IraqÕs weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. dg/U.S. Navy photo/Bob Houlihan UPI . | Enlarge Enlarge
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Three U.S. Navy personnel were killed and a fourth critically injured when a helicopter crashed and burned near Corpus Christi, Texas.

Lt. Sean Robertson with Naval Air Station Corpus Christi said an MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter crashed in a field about 4 miles south of the city around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported.

The helicopter was on a training mission, Robertson said.

Ed Mackley, public affairs officer for the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, told CNN it was around 2:30 a.m. before rescuers retrieved three bodies and a fourth man was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

The Caller-Times said stormy weather conditions and downed power lines hindered rescue attempts.

Robertson said two Navy investigations were initiated into the crash.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



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