Two Saved, Rescuers Seek 10 More After Helos Crash Off Horn of Africa

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2006 - Two crewmembers have been rescued and the search continues for 10 others after two U.S. H-53 military helicopters crashed in waters off Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, a Defense Department spokeswoman reported today.

Though some initial reports say both were U.S. Marine Corps helicopters, the spokeswoman could confirm only that they were U.S. helicopters and that they were part of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

The helicopters were on a night training mission over the Gulf of Aden when the crash occurred, the spokeswoman said, adding that an investigation will be conducted to determine why the helicopters went down.

The military flies various versions of the Sikorsky H-53.

Semper Fi