US Apache crew rescued after Strait of Hormuz crash

Two US military personnel were safely rescued after their Apache attack helicopter crashed in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, according to US officials.

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said the AH-64 Apache went down near the coast of Oman at approximately 3am local time while conducting a patrol mission in regional waters. 

The cause of the incident remains under investigation, and officials have not yet determined whether the helicopter was brought down by hostile fire, suffered a mechanical failure, or encountered another issue.

CENTCOM said the two crew members were recovered within about two hours of the crash and were reported to be in stable condition. The rescue operation was carried out with the assistance of a US Navy drone, although military officials did not disclose the specific type of unmanned aircraft involved.

Speaking to reporters before departing New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, US President Donald Trump confirmed that both pilots were safe.

“The pilots are fine. Nobody injured,” Trump said, adding that a detailed report on the incident would be released later.

The crash occurred amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. It came just one day after Iran and Israel announced they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from Trump. Despite the pause in hostilities, Tehran warned it could resume military action if Israel continued operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.