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4 Soldiers Killed in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash in Washington State

20 September 2025 07:10 (UTC +04:00)

Four U.S. Army soldiers from an elite aviation unit were killed when their MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in a rural area near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state earlier this week, Army officials announced Friday, APA reports citing Reuters.

According to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the helicopter was conducting a routine training mission west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord when it crashed around 9 p.m. Wednesday in rural Thurston County. The soldiers belonged to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the “Night Stalkers.”

“Our hearts are with the families, friends, and teammates of these Night Stalkers,” said Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, USASOC Commander. “They were elite warriors who embodied the highest values of the Army and the Army Special Operations, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Residents near Summit Lake, west of Olympia, reported hearing an extremely loud noise followed by a crash and several large explosions. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched. The military reported losing contact with a helicopter in the area.

Sheriff Derek Sanders had reported on Facebook that deputies found the wreckage. Rescue efforts were halted due to the fire, as the crash ignited a wildfire that grew to about an acre by Friday morning before it was contained.

Law enforcement, firefighters, and specialty personnel from the joint base are conducting recovery efforts at the site of the crash, Braga said. “We thank the skilled professionals who are working tirelessly around the clock to bring our soldiers home,” he said. The cause remains under investigation. The National Weather Service reported clear skies and light winds at the time of the incident.

“My heart is heavy following the news of the September 17 aircraft mishap involving four Soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) near Joint Base Lewis-McChord," Army Secretary Dan Driscoll wrote on X. "While we await further updates, my prayers are with those involved, their families, and the entire Night Stalkers, Special Operations, and JBLM community.”

The Army stated that the names of the soldiers will be released at an appropriate time, out of respect for their families.

According to the regiment’s website, the Night Stalkers are “the primary rotary-wing support to Department of Defense Special Operations Forces.” It’s reported as the nation’s leading aviation unit, with highly specialized capabilities and support for elite special operations forces on critical missions in challenging environments.