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Helicopters collide, killing Iraqi soldier

NORFOLK, Va. — Two helicopters from a Navy squadron that specializes in special operations support collided in Iraq on Oct. 4, killing an Iraqi soldier.

According to information from Multi-National Force-Iraq the two helicopters were “landing at a coalition force base near Adhamiyah.” Two Iraqi soldiers were also injured, as well as three U.S. soldiers.

Navy spokesman at the Pentagon Lt. Sean Robertson confirmed that the two aircraft were HH-60H Seahawks belonging to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84, the Red Wolves, a reserve squadron based in Norfolk.

While the Class A mishap remains under investigation, he said “hostile fire is not suspected as a cause of the incident.”

According to information from the Naval Safety Center, the collision occurred during a hard landing, when one helicopter hit the tailboom of another, causing one aircraft to roll over.

“The investigation is ongoing,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Russell, a spokesman at Multi-National Force-Iraq in Baghdad. He said there have been no updates since Oct. 4.

HSC 84 works closely with special operations forces and is “the only squadron in the U.S. Navy dedicated to Naval Special Warfare support and strike rescue” according to its Web site. The squadron has eight HH-60Hs divided into four detachments of two aircraft each. The reserve unit is manned by full-time support and selected reserve members.

The condition of the two aircraft in the Oct. 4 incident has not been released.