- The US European Command confirmed that five soldiers died in a plane crash
- The crash occurred Friday evening while refueling and the identities of the victims have not been released
- President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin issued statements following the tragedy
Five US soldiers died after a military plane crashed over the Mediterranean during a training mission.
On Sunday, U.S. European Command confirmed that all five people on board were killed after a search and rescue operation was launched.
The crash occurred on Friday evening in the eastern Mediterranean during a routine aerial refueling as part of training.
It is unclear what type of plane crashed. But plane spotters on social media tagged several Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft and an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft south of Cyprus on Saturday.
“Out of respect for the affected families and in accordance with Department of Defense policy, the identities of the crew members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification is complete,” EUCOM said.
When officials first announced the crash on Saturday, authorities said the cause was under investigation but there was no evidence of hostile activity.
The US European Command confirmed that five soldiers died after a US military plane crashed over the Mediterranean during a training mission
Aircraft spotters on social media tagged several Navy P-8 Poseidons and an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III south of Cyprus on Saturday
President Joe Biden released a statement after the deaths: “Jill and I mourn the loss of five American service members who died when their plane crashed in the Mediterranean Sea during a training mission.”
“We pray for the families and friends who have lost a precious loved one – a piece of their soul. Our entire nation shares their grief.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said: “As we continue to gather more information about this fatal crash, this is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line every day to… “Our country is safe.”
“They represent the best of America. “We will remember their service and their sacrifice.”
It is unclear which military branch operated the aircraft and what specific aircraft they were.
The Army Times reported that aircraft spotters on social media on Saturday marked several Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft south of Cyprus, as well as an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, often used for aeromedical evacuations, departing the area .
Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, European Command consists of 65,000 permanent military personnel responsible for U.S. military operations throughout Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean.
On November 3, the European Command announced that three days of naval exercises had taken place in the Mediterranean, where two aircraft carrier strike groups have been stationed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower are currently in the region to warn Iran against interfering in the current conflict.
Ships from the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower sail across the Mediterranean Sea Nov. 3
Jill and I mourn the loss of five American soldiers who died in a plane crash in the Mediterranean during a training mission. We pray for the families and friends who have lost a loved one – a piece of their soul. Our entire nation shares its…
– President Biden (@POTUS) November 12, 2023
President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin issued statements about the crash
The European Command said 11,000 people took part in the exercises and “were trained in high-value unit defense, ballistic missile defense, maritime replenishment, cross-deck air operations and maritime security operations.”
In August, three U.S. Marines were killed and 20 others injured during aircraft training in Australia.
Their Boeing MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor plane crashed to the ground and burst into flames on the remote island of Melville.
US Marine Corps crew chief Corporal Spencer Collart, 21, pilot Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, and Major Tobin Lewis, 37, died in the crash.
Five US military personnel die when their plane crashes into the Mediterranean while refueling in mid-air