A total of 11 servicemen—seven Marines and four soldiers—are presumed dead after an Army helicopter carrying them crashed in waters near Florida last night.
According to the Associated Press, officials reported the Army National Guard's UH-60 Black Hawk missing around 8:30 p.m. last night. An official with the Pentagon speaking under the condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that the Coast Guard discovered debris in the water at roughly 2 a.m.
The Associated Press adds that local law enforcement congregated at a portion of military-owned beach between Destin, Fla. and Pensacola, Fla. Fog in the area is said to have inhibited search efforts.
The Marines were reportedly part of a special operations group from Camp Lejune, N.C., while the soldiers hailed from a National Guard squadron in Hammond, La. Eglin Air Force Base Spokesman Andy Bourland told the Associated Press that the helicopter departed a Destin airport last night to participate in a training mission.
[via Associated Press]
