Photo: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A U.S. Army helicopter crashed near the coast of Oman on Monday evening, and its two crew members were rescued by an unmanned surface vessel in a historic first for American military operations. The incident occurred as the AH-64 Apache was patrolling regional waters near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the rescue effort was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the 82nd Airborne Division, and supported by U.S. Air Force and Navy units, including Task Force 59. This unit recently began using drone boats, called Corsair unmanned surface vessels, to support maritime operations in the region. The drone located the two soldiers within approximately two hours of the crash and brought them safely to shore.
This marks the first time that a U.S. military sea drone has been used for a rescue operation.
President Donald Trump told reporters the crew members were "fine" and not injured, and CENTCOM confirmed they were in stable condition and receiving medical care. The cause of the helicopter crash is under investigation, and officials have not yet determined whether it was due to mechanical issues or external factors.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, with a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel and periodic clashes involving U.S. and regional allies. CENTCOM has stated that a full report into the incident will be released soon.