CENTCOM says an AH-64 Apache crashed near Oman’s coast during a patrol at 3am on Tuesday
In a first, a United States Navy surface drone found and rescued two crew members from a US Army Apache attack helicopter that went down in waters near Oman’s coast, the US military told Reuters, and President Donald Trump said the pilots were “fine”.
The US military’s Central Command said the AH-64 Apache went down at around 3am local time on Tuesday (2300 GMT on Monday) near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters.
It gave no reason for the crash. The US and Iran have been in an uneasy ceasefire, with periodic clashes and Iranian drone and missile strikes on US regional allies.
Central Command told Reuters the rescue was carried out by a drone but did not specify the model. The US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59, which operates in the region, is a dedicated unit for integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with everyday maritime operations.
Speaking on the runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport before returning to Washington, Trump said there was “nobody injured”.
“We are going to issue a report on that tomorrow,” he added, without commenting on what may have caused the incident
US Central Command used more cautious language to describe the condition of the two, saying they were in stable condition.
“The soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation,” it said in a statement.
