Marine Corps F-35B Nose Gear Collapses As It Was Being Towed At Kadena Air Base In Okinawa

Video of today's incident with the F-35 fighter jet of the 121st squadron of the #USMC at the Kadena Air Force Base on the #Japanese island of #Okinawa

When towing the aircraft, the front landing gear dropped.pic.twitter.com/xIkJZYxXns

— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Military News (@IndoPac_Info) December 1, 2022

Marine Times: F-35B goes nose down as plane is being towed after electrical issue 

The nose of a Marine Corps stealth fighter jet touched the ground Thursday when its landing gear malfunctioned as it was being towed following a precautionary landing in Japan, according to service officials.

Lan A pilot flying an F-35B Lightning II aircraft landed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time Dec. 1 because of a suspected electrical issue, according to a statement by Maj. Roberto Martins, a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like the brakes were put on causing the collapse of the nose gear. 

 Marine Corps F-35B Nose Gear Collapses As It Was Being Towed At Kadena Air Base In Okinawa  

Marine Corps F-35B Ends Up Nose-Down In Japan -- Warzone/Drive  

Watch an F-35 faceplant after a landing gear failure in Japan -- Task & Purpose  

Down & Out! US F-35B Stealth Fighter Spotted With Its ‘Nose Down’ On The Runway In Japan. Here’s Why -- EurAsian Times  

WATCH: F-35 Collapses on Okinawa Runway After Landing Over Electrical Issue -- Sputnik

US Naval Air Forces Announces A ‘Safety Pause’ After A String Of Crashes

 

CNN: Naval Air Forces to hold ‘safety pause’ after string of crashes 

The Navy’s aviation community will undergo a “safety pause” Monday in the wake of multiple fatal flight mishaps in less than two weeks. 

During the pause, units will review risk-management practices and train “on threat and error-management processes,” according to a Naval Air Forces statement. 

“In order to maintain the readiness of our force, we must ensure the safety of our people remains one of our top priorities,” the command statement said. 

Deployed units will conduct the pause at the earliest possible time. 

Read more .... 

US Naval Air Forces Announces A ‘Safety Pause’ After A String Of Crashes  

Navy announces aviation 'safety pause' to review risk-management and training after a spate of crashes -- FOX News  

Navy announces ‘safety pause’ in wake of aircraft crashes -- The Hill  

U.S. Navy Plans ‘Safety Pause’ After Series of Aircraft Crashes -- New York Times  

After series of crashes, U.S. Navy to pause flight operations for safety reviews -- LA Times  

Navy issues ‘safety pause’ after recent deadly aircraft crashes -- The Independent  

US Naval Air Forces Orders "Safety Pause" For Aircraft After Deadly Southern California Crashes -- Zero Hedge

US Navy Report On Last Week's Fatal Accident Says MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter Crashed Due To 'Side-To-Side' Vibrations, Killing Five Navy Sailors

The sailors were aboard an MH-60S helicopter when they crashed into the Pacific Ocean on August 31 (file photo)  

Daily Mail: US Navy helicopter that crashed killing five crew and injuring five aboard aircraft carrier 'was vibrating side-to-side causing the main rotor to hit the deck' while landing 

* A crash summary document reported on Wednesday that the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter crashed due to 'side-to-side' vibrations, killing five navy sailors 

* It remains unknown as to what might have caused the vibrations on August 31, 60 miles off San Diego's coast on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier 

* The Navy were finally able to identify the five sailors killed in the crash but their bodies remain missing 

* The sailors were conducting routine flight operations right before the crash happened, the Navy reported in an on-going investigation 

* Only one crew member who was aboard the MH-60S helicopter was rescued as he is now in stable condition 

A brief Navy narrative of a fatal helicopter crash off Southern California said the aircraft experienced 'side-to-side' vibrations that caused the main rotor to hit the deck of an aircraft carrier while landing, according to a Department of Defense report. 

The MH-60S Seahawk fell off the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln on August 31. 

One crewmember was rescued and five were declared dead after a search. Another five sailors on the carrier deck were injured.  

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Update: Navy releases more details on what caused last week’s fatal helicopter crash (Navy Times)  

WNU Editor: I thought the helo crashed in the ocean. Apparently not. The crash occurred on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier where it then fell off the side of the ship into the ocean. I suspect there is also video of this accident.

U.S. Navy Identifies 5 Sailors Killed In Helicopter Crash Last Week

 

Daily Mail: PICTURED: Five sailors from USS Abraham Lincoln who were killed when their helicopter crashed into Pacific Ocean 60 miles off coast of San Diego 

* The Navy on Sunday identified the five sailors killed in a helicopter crash that took place off the coast of San Diego on Tuesday 

* The sailors disappeared on Tuesday while conducting routine flight operations 

* Their bodies remain missing and they were declared dead after a 72-hour search 

* Only one crew member who was aboard the MH-60S helicopter was rescued 

* The sailors were based on USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier 

* The Navy said the incident is under investigation 

The Navy has identified five US sailors who died after their helicopters crashed into the Pacific Ocean 60 miles off the coast of San Diego. 

The sailors have not been seen since the crash on Tuesday, while they were conducting routine flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. 

The Navy declared them dead on Saturday after a days-long search and rescue operation.  

Read more .... 

 More News On The U.S. Navy Identifying 5 Sailors Killed In Helicopter Crash Last Week  

U.S. Navy identifies 5 Sailors killed in helicopter crash -- Navy.mil  

Navy identifies 5 sailors who died in helicopter crash -- Navy Times 

Navy identifies 5 sailors killed in helicopter crash off California coast -- FOX News  

US Navy IDs 5 sailors killed in helicopter crash off California -- NYPost  

Five Navy sailors killed in helicopter crash identified -- The Hill

33 US Navy Sailors Hospitalized After Possible Diesel Exhaust Exposure At Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

USS Michigan (SSBN-727)  

Kitsap Sun: Submariners taken to hospital for diesel exhaust exposure at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard 

BREMERTON — Thirty-three sailors assigned to the USS Michigan submarine were taken to the hospital Monday following potential exposure to exhaust from the boat's diesel engine during maintenance work at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. 

The sailors were transported "out of an abundance of caution," according to Lt. Cmdr. Ben Anderson, a spokesman for Bangor-based Submarine Group 9. 

Two sailors had mild respiratory distress symptoms following exposure to the diesel exhaust, and they were evaluated and released. "All sailors were evaluated and released" from the hospital, he said. 

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Update: 33 Navy sailors hospitalized after possible exposure to exhaust (FOX News)  

WNU editor: This could have ended very badly.

Veteran Submariners Explain What Might Have Caused A Cargo Ship And A Japanese Submarine To Collide

 

Warzone/The Drive: Veteran Submariners Explain What Might Have Caused Japanese Submarine Collision 

Despite all the technology at their disposal, for a submarine crew, the simple act of surfacing can sometimes be fraught with danger. 

Since our initial report on the collision between the Japanese submarine Soryu and a cargo ship in the Pacific Ocean yesterday, The War Zone has heard a number of interesting theories as to what happened, including from veteran submariners. To get a better understanding of what might have gone wrong during this routine exercise in the waters off the island of Shikoku, we spoke to a former U.S. Navy officer who served aboard submarines extensively and who also worked as a navigation safety instructor. We also asked the opinion of our friend and contributor, Aaron Amick, a veteran sonarman with two decades of experience aboard U.S. Navy submarines. 

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Previous Post: Japanese Submarine Collides With Chinese Commercial Ship While Surfacing In Pacific (February 8, 2021) 

WNU Editor: My gut tells me that the crew aboard the Japanese submarine Soryu are very lucky that only 3 sailors were slightly injured.

Japanese Submarine Collides With Chinese Commercial Ship While Surfacing In Pacific

Pictured: A photo taken from a helicopter shows workers inspecting the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine Souryu after the crash on Monday, off Kochi port in the western Japan main island of Shikoku on Feb. 9, 2021 

Daily Mail: Hapless Japanese submarine crew have to use MOBILE PHONE to call for help after they surface underneath commercial tanker, smashing radio mast 

 * Three of the crew members of the 'Soryu' submarine suffered minor injuries in the collision on Monday 

 * The vessel crashed into a Chinese commercial ship, officials said on Monday, identified as the Ocean Artemis

 * It was in the process of surfacing near Japan's south-western island of Shikoku but did not see the other ship 

 * The submarine temporarily lost communications after the mast was damaged, destroying the radio 

A hapless Japanese submarine crew were forced to use a mobile phone to call for help after they surfaced underneath a Chinese commercial tanker, destroying their radio mast in the process. 

The crew of the Japanese navy's 275-foot 'Soryu' submarine suffered minor injuries, while the submarine suffered damage to its mast, Japanese defence officials said on Monday. 

The Soryu was in the process of surfacing about 27 nautical miles south of Cape Ashizuri on Japan's south-western island of Shikoku when it collided with the commercial ship, the Maritime Self-Defence Force said. 

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WNU Editor: The damage is extensive .... Japan submarine collision left more damage than initially thought (Kyodo News). 

 More News On Monday's Japanese Submarine Collision With A Chinese Commercial Ship 

Check Out The Damage To This Japanese Submarine After It Collided With A Cargo Ship -- Warzone/The Drive 

Japanese submarine's radio knocked out in crash with commercial ship -- Nikkei Asian 

Japanese submarine crashes into commercial ship from Hong Kong -- UPI 

Japanese submarine collides with commercial ship while surfacing in Pacific -- CNN 

Japan submarine collides with commercial ship while surfacing: report -- FOX News 

Japanese Sub Collides With Chinese Vessel, Exactly 20 Years After Ehime Maru Tragedy -- Taiwan Times 

Photos Show Japanese Sub Mangled by Collision With Cargo Ship -- Sputnik

Civilian Injured After Rafale Fighter Jet Ejector Seat Is Triggered During Takeoff

File photo: French Rafale B fighter jet © Wikipedia

Aerotime News: Civilian passenger gets unexpectedly ejected from Rafale B jet

A civilian passenger was accidentally ejected from a twin-seat Rafale B fighter jet as the aircraft was taking off.

The fighter jet was taking off from Saint-Dizier 113 air base for a training mission, on March 20, 2019. The pilot managed to land shortly after the incident. His hands were slightly injured by broken glass from the canopy.

The passenger, a man in his sixties, was hospitalized. His back was reportedly injured as he fell on the runway. He is now in a stable condition. "His health condition is not a cause for concern," said Colonel Cyrille Duvivier, spokesman for the French Air Force.

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Update #1: Danger zone: 64yo civilian injured after fighter jet ejector seat triggers during takeoff (RT)
Update #2: Civilian Passenger Gets Ejected From A French Two-Seat Rafale Jet (Zero Edge)

WNU Editor: That made everyone's day.

RT Reporter Almost Gets 'Run Over' By A Russian Tu-160 Bomber (Video)

National Interest: VIDEO: Watch This Reporter Almost Get Run Over By A Russian Tu-160 Bomber

PROTIP: it is not a smart idea to walk on an active runway as planes are taking off or landing.

A Russian reporter nearly got her head taken off during a live shot of a Russian TU-160 bomber landing in Venezuela.

Maria Finoshina of Russia’s RT cable news network was standing on the runway as one of the two bombers sent to Venezuela was about to touch down. As she walked toward the landing aircraft, one of the bomber’s wings narrowly passed above her head.

“Wow! Spectacular,” Finoshina yelled ecstatically as she made a tactical withdrawal from the center of the runway. Although she maintained her composure throughout the landing, she is lucky to have escaped unscathed.

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WNU Editor: What was she thinking?

T-34 Tank Overturned After 75th Anniversary Kursk Battle Parade

T-34 tank overturned after 75 anniversary Kursk battle parade pic.twitter.com/GVmhDT8VOw

— English Russia (@EnglishRussia1) August 23, 2018

WNU Editor: These tanks are tough. They will be flip it and try again.

U.S. Troops Are Now More Likely To Die In “Peacetime” Accidents Than In Combat Or During Hostilities

The McCain's collision with the Alnic MC caused "significant damage" to the destroyer's hull, resulting in flooding in the crew berths, machinery and communications rooms. (MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JOSHUA FULTON)

Mackenzie Eaglen, RCD: America’s New Deadliest War is Hiding in Plain Sight

With hurricane relief and the debt ceiling grabbing the headlines, it will be easy to overlook today’s Congressional hearing on recent ship collisions in the Pacific Ocean. But policymakers should not.

Troops are now more likely to die in “peacetime” incidents than active hostilities or combat.

We should all be worried about that trend. Recent U.S. Navy ship collisions in the Pacific and several aircraft crashes have highlighted the tangible and tragic consequences of how “degraded military readiness” manifests. The loss of life stemming from the accidents involving the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain has led to an operational pause in the United States Navy—and for good reason. Something is wrong, and if recent history is any indication, it is likely not just one single issue that can quickly be isolated and fixed.

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WNU Editor: Being in the military has always been a dangerous occupation .... as these statistics show.

Cargo Ship That Hit The USS Fitzgerald Was On Autopilot. U.S. Destroyer Did Not Detect The Container Ship Until It was Too Late

Heavy damage is pictured on the US Navy missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald after it collided with a cargo ship near Japan early on Saturday morning

Washington Free Beacon: Freighter Was On Autopilot When It Hit U.S. Destroyer

USS Fitzgerald did not detect container ship

The deadly collision between a U.S. destroyer and a container ship June 17 took place while the freighter was on autopilot, according to Navy officials.

The Philippines-flagged cargo ship ACX Crystal was under control of a computerized navigation system that was steering and guiding the container vessel, according to officials familiar with preliminary results of an ongoing Navy investigation.

Investigators so far found no evidence the collision was deliberate.

Nevertheless, an accident during computerized navigation raises the possibility the container ship's computer system could have been hacked and the ship deliberately steered into the USS Fitzgerald, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.

A more likely explanation is that collision was the result of an autopilot malfunction, or the autopilot's warning signals, used to notify the ship's operators, were missed.

Read more ....

More News On The USS Fitzgerald Accident

Japanese cargo ship WAS on autopilot when it collided with the USS Fitzgerald - and five of the seven sailors who died in the crash were 'incapacitated' almost instantly -- Daily Mail
Cargo ship that hit US destroyer near Japan was on autopilot, data shows -- RT
Rear admiral to investigate Fitzgerald collision -- Navy Times/AP
Investigators obtain data recorder in USS Fitzgerald collision -- Stars and Stripes
Navy sailor sacrificed himself to save 20 lives after the USS Fitzgerald collision -- SOFREP
USS Fitzgerald sailors faced tough decision to close ship’s flooded section where seven crewmates died -- NYDaily News
How Could the Fitzgerald Collision Happen? -- Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics
These Are the Enormous Ships That Could Transport the USS Fitzgerald -- Popular Mechanics

BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Navy Destroyer Collides With Merchant Ship Off Japan. Injuries Are Being Reported

#BREAKING: #USNavy #USSFitzgerald involved in collision. More to follow - https://t.co/H3ivRgIh65 (File photo) pic.twitter.com/V1XEUxLt84

— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) June 16, 2017

Reuters: U.S. Navy destroyer collides with merchant vessel near Japan

A U.S. Navy destroyer has collided with a merchant vessel southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, the U.S. Navy said on Friday.

In a statement, the Navy said the USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant vessel 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka and the extent of injuries to U.S. personnel "is being determined."

It added that the Navy had requested the assistance of the Japanese Coast Guard.

Japan's NHK public television website said that the commercial vessel is a Philippines container ship and that the destroyer had suffered some flooding and was "unable to operate".

Read more ....

More News On The US Navy Destroyer Fitzgerald Colliding With A Merchant Ship Off Japan

US Navy destroyer Fitzgerald collides with merchant ship -- Navy Times
U.S. Naval Vessel Collides With Merchant Ship Southwest of Japan -- NBC
USS Fitzgerald collides with Japanese vessel, Navy says -- CBS
US destroyer collides with merchant ship near Japan -- The Hill
US Navy destroyer collides with merchant ship off Japan -- Independent.ie
US Navy: USS Fitzgerald Collides With Merchant Vessel Off Japan Coast -- VOA
Injuries reported after US Navy destroyer collides with Japanese boat -- My Statesman

Update: NHK is reporting 7 US sailors are missing (link here).

US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Crash On Maryland Golf Course. One Dead Two Injured

Daily Mail: One dead and two injured after US Army Black Hawk helicopter crashes on to Maryland golf course

* The UH60 chopper crashed on to the green at Breton Bay Golf Course at 1.37pm
* One died and two were airlifted to hospital in serious and critical conditions
* They were taking part in a routine training flight when the accident occurred
* All of the soldiers belong to the 12th Aviation Batallion stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, 70 miles away

One person has died and two are injured after a US Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed on to a Maryland golf course on Monday.

The UH60 Blackhawk crashed on to the green at the Breton Bay Golf Course in Leonardtown at 1.37pm on Monday afternoon. It belongs to Fort Belvoir, a US Army base 70 miles away in Virginia.

One of its crew died and two others are in serious and critical condition in hospital.

They all belong to the 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Davison Airfield at Fort Belvoir and were taking part in a routine training flight when the crash occurred.

Read more ....

More News On Monday`s US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Crash On A Maryland Golf Course

Army Identifies Soldier Killed in Maryland Black Hawk Crash -- Military.com
Army Black Hawk chopper crashes at Maryland golf course; 1 dead -- UPI
1 dead, 2 injured after military chopper crashes in southern Maryland -- ABC News
Witness Was In ‘Disbelief’ After Deadly Black Hawk Helicopter Crash -- CBS
1 dead after Black Hawk helicopter crashes in southern Maryland (VIDEO) -- RT

Recently Released CIA Documents Have Revealed That A Collision Between U.S. And Russian Nuclear Subs Occurred In The North Sea 40 Years Ago

Official CIA documents have revealed that US submarine SSBN James Madison (pictured), collided with a Soviet, when it was maneuvering in waters off the coast of Holy Loch in Argyll, Scotland

Daily Mail: Two nuclear submarines CRASHED off the coast of Britain in an incident so serious 'it could have started WWIII' and was hushed-up for 40 years

* Naval incident took place in shallow waters near Holy Loch, Argyll in Scotland
* US sub collided with Soviet counterpart in open waters of the North Sea in 1974
* Incredible incident revealed after millions of CIA documents published online

Two nuclear submarines crashed off the coast of Britain during the Cold War in an incident so serious that it could have started World War Three.

Official CIA documents have revealed that a US submarine collided with a Soviet vessel when it was maneuvering in waters off the coast of Holy Loch in Argyll, Scotland.

The incredible naval incident took place in 1974, when the two nations were locked in a fierce political stand-off.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This could have ended very badly for everyone.

Marine F/A-18 Has Crashed In California. Pilot Killed

F/A-18C Hornets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, taxi down the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during Red Flag-Alaska 16-2, June 7, 2016. Donato Maffin/Marine Corps

Marine Times: Marine pilot killed in F/A-18C Hornet crash in California

A pilot from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, was killed in an F/A-18C Hornet crash Thursday night.

The crash was during a training mission around 10:30 p.m. near Twentynine Palms, California, according to a press release.

First Lt. Gabriel Adibe, a spokesman for MCAS Miramar, said the crash is under investigation. Officials are waiting for more information, he said, but no one else seemed to be involved in the crash. The name of the pilot will be released after the immediate family is notified.

Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the head of Marine Aviation, told reporters on Friday that he did not have any details about the crash, adding that his thoughts and prayers are with the family of the Hornet pilot.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Marine F/A-18 Crash In California

Marine F/A-18 crash kills one; jet broke apart in a dive, witness says -- Washington Post
Marine Hornet pilot killed in California crash -- CNN
Fighter Jet Crashes in California, Killing Pilot -- ABC News
MCAS Miramar Pilot Killed in Aircraft Crash in California -- NBC San Diego
Marine Pilot Killed in California Hornet Crash -- Military Times

Why Is The U.S. Military Now Experiencing A Number Of Aircraft Accidents

The B-52H Stratofortress bomber is part of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, the Air Force said. KUAM-TV

CNN: Military aircraft accidents costing lives, billions of dollars

Washington (CNN)A rash of recent military crashes has cost the lives of several service members as well as billions of dollars worth of damages. The wave of accidents has raised questions about the training of pilots and the maintenance of aircraft, with top brass pointing to slashed budgets and aging fleets strained by prolonged conflict.

Last week, an MH-60S helicopter crashed in the James River in Virginia during a training mission. Earlier this month, two F-16C fighter jets collided in the skies over Georgia.

In the first incident all of the helicopter crew were rescued and in the second the two South Carolina Air National Guard pilots managed to safely eject. But a few days earlier, a Blue Angels pilot was killed when his jet crashed. An Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron jet crashed the same day, but that pilot managed to successfully eject.

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WNU Editor: There has always been a lot of military aircraft accidents (and general accidents) in the U.S. military. But the impression is that it is now worse. Is this due to ageing aircraft and cutbacks in training .... maybe .... but it is something that should always be addressed and if possible .... corrected even if it costs a lot of money.

U.S. Marines Had Fired The Commanding Officer 3 Days Before The Deadly Helicopter Crash In Hawaii

A group of Marines walk the beach outside the Haleiwa Incident Command Post in Haleiwa, Hawaii, during search efforts for 12 missing Marines, in this handout photo taken January 18, 2016.

REUTERS/U.S. COAST GUARD/PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS LEVI READ/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

Marine Times: Marines fired commander days before deadly helicopter crash in Hawaii

The Marine Corps helicopter squadron reeling from the recent deaths of 12 colleagues saw its commanding officer removed from his job three days prior to the tragedy because senior officials determined he had failed to keep the unit operating at acceptable standards, Marine Corps Times has learned.

Lt. Col. Edward Pavelka was relieved of command Jan. 11, multiple sources confirmed. On Jan. 14, two CH-53E helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during a nighttime training mission about two miles north of Hawaii's Oahu island, where the aircraft were based.

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WNU Editor: If the commanding officer was fired because he had failed to keep the unit operating at acceptable standards, why then did his senior officers permit these training missions to continue in the first place. My gut is telling me that when this investigation is complete and the final report is finally released .... some careers may end.

The Guided Missile Sub USS Georgia Is Damaged After A Collision With A Buoy

CNN: Navy investigating damage to guided-missile submarine that struck buoy

Washington (CNN)Navy officials are evaluating the damage to a guided-missile submarine that struck a buoy.

The USS Georgia is in dry dock after it hit a buoy in the channel near Fernandina Beach, Florida, in late November, according to Military.com. The submarine was returning to its home port at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.

No leadership has been removed from the sub following the collision, said Lt. Lily Hinz, a public relations officer with Submarine Group 10. CNN has submitted a request for comment from the division.

Official are conducting an investigation into the accident, which happened at the entrance to the channel leading to the base.

Update: USS Georgia Collides With Buoy (Military.com)

WNU Editor: The above video explains what the USS Georgia is capable of.

Two U.S. Army Pilots Killed In Apache Helicopter Crash In South Korea

ABC News: 2 US Pilots Die in Army Apache Helicopter Crash in South Korea

Two U.S. Army helicopter pilots died today after their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed during a routine training mission in South Korea.

The helicopter crashed at about 6:30 p.m. local time, nearly 50 miles east of Camp Humphreys, according to the Eighth Army Public Affairs Office.

The pilots were part of the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division. Their identities will not be released until the next of kin are notified.

"We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families of the Soldiers involved in this tragic incident,” Lt. Col. Mark Gillespie, the deputy commander of 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, said. “Our first priority is to provide their families with the support they need during this difficult time."

More News On Today's U.S. Army Apache Helicopter Crash That Killed Two In South Korea

Two Army pilots killed in Apache crash in South Korea -- Army Times
U.S. military helicopter crashes in South Korea, two dead -- Reuters
U.S. military helicopter crashes in South Korea, killing two -- CBS/AP
U.S. Army Apache Helicopter Crashes in South Korea Killing Two: Officials -- NBC News
Two dead in U.S. military helicopter crash in S. Korea -- USA Today
2 Army pilots killed in Apache crash, Ft. Rucker to investigate -- Al.com