A Black Hawk helicopter carrying four U.S. special operations soldiers crashed in Washington state on Wednesday night, sparking both fear and urgent rescue efforts.
First responders rushed to the scene, but flames from the crash forced them to halt operations, leaving the fate of the soldiers uncertain.
Location and Initial Response
The crash occurred roughly 35 miles west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Summit Lake.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Department received reports of an explosion around 9 p.m. and quickly dispatched deputies to the area.
In a statement, Sheriff Derek Sanders said, “Deputies have located what is believed to be the scene.
We have been advised that the military lost contact with a helicopter in the area, and we are working closely with JBLM to deploy any resources needed to assist.”
Sanders added that rescue efforts were halted because the intense fire made it unsafe for first responders.
“The scene is on fire and is starting to overheat their footwear,” he explained.
Military Confirms Aviation Mishap
The Army Special Operations Command described the incident as a “mishap” in an official statement Thursday morning.
“Four service members assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) were on board an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in an aviation mishap in a rural area near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
This remains an active, ongoing situation,” the statement read.
Spokesperson Allie Scott noted that the helicopter went down in difficult terrain that is “hard to reach,” complicating rescue and investigation efforts.
Crash Sparks Wildfire
The crash also ignited a wildfire, consuming roughly one acre of surrounding terrain.
Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, but the combination of fire and rough terrain has slowed access to the site.
About the ‘Night Stalkers’
The soldiers involved were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the “Night Stalkers,” a premier unit that operates under extreme conditions.
The regiment is famous for its high-risk missions, including flying Navy SEALs into Pakistan for the 2011 operation that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Investigation Underway
Authorities and the military are actively investigating the cause of the crash.
Details remain limited as the situation continues to develop, with officials prioritizing both safety and the rescue of the personnel involved.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.