Black Hawk helicopter was on ‘classified’ training mission before American Airlines crash

A subject chopper was carrying retired a secretive training mission erstwhile it collided with an American Airlines rider jet, the details of which are mostly “classified,” officials said.

All 3 soldiers aboard the ill-fated UH-60 Black Hawk chopper were portion of the 12th Aviation Battalion, which is liable for transporting members of the authorities to a harmless determination successful the lawsuit of a nationalist situation oregon attack.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said they were performing a “continuity of government” drill erstwhile the collision occurred conscionable extracurricular Washington, D.C. connected Wednesday night. The drill allows pilots to “rehearse successful ways that would bespeak a real-world scenario,” Hegseth said.

When asked for specifics, the defence caput declined to connection further comment, telling Fox News that helium didn’t privation to get “into thing that’s classified.” His comments echo those from Jonathan Koziol, main of unit for the Army’s aviation directorate, who told reporters that “some of their ngo is to enactment the Department of Defense if thing truly atrocious happens successful this area, and we request to determination our elder leaders.”

Koziol added: “They bash request to beryllium capable to understand the environment, the aerial traffic, the routes, to guarantee the harmless question of our elder leaders passim our government.”

President Trump has said the Black Hawk was flying “too high” erstwhile it collided with American Eagle Flight 5342, astatine the clip carrying 60 passengers and 4 crewmembers from Wichita, Kan. to Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Everyone onboard, including much than a twelve fig skaters, galore of them successful their teens, died successful the crash.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, left, and Staff Sgt Ryan Austin O’Hara, of Lilburn, Georgia. (U.S. Army via AP; Obtained by Daily News)

All 3 soldiers connected the subject chopper were besides killed, though lone 2 have been identified. They are Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Ga., and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Md.

The incidental marks the deadliest U.S. aerial disaster in much than 20 years.