NORFOLK (NNS) 20-02-2010– The commodore of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic held a press conference with local media to announce all 17 personnel on board the Navy MH-60S Nighthawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 based at Naval Station Norfolk, were successfully rescued from the aircraft.

The helicopter crashed yesterday shortly after 1 p.m. on the side of a mountain in West Virginia in more than four feet of snow.

“Our primary focus has been the safe evacuation of all the aircrew and passengers,” said Capt. Steve Schreiber, commodore, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic. “As of this morning all personnel have either been evacuated from the crash site or are being evacuated.”

There were injuries reported, ranging from minor bruises to fractures, but none of the injuries are considered life threatening.

Those aboard the helicopter included 11 Navy, four National Guard personnel and two Marines. Nine of the passengers have been treated and released at Elkins Medical Facility, and one is currently inbound to Elkins. Three have been admitted for treatment and four are being transported to UVA Trauma Center in Charlottesville.

Schreiber lauded the heroic efforts of the crew and passengers, as well as the rescuers first on the scene.

“I’d like to thank the West Virginia National Guard and the local responders for their heroic work. Their efforts were extraordinary and took place under the most difficult of situations,” said Schreiber. “The rescuers had to traverse more than three miles from the nearest road through heavily wooded and mountainous terrain to reach the crash site. A special thanks to the Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort for providing Snowcats that enabled first responders to reach the site.”

The crew spent the night on the mountain and had to wait for rescuers to reach them, but they were prepared to weather the adverse conditions.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

Rescue Efforts Continuing in US Navy Helicopter Crash

NORFOLK (NNS) 19-02-2010– Rescue and recovery efforts are still ongoing following the Feb. 18 crash of a U.S. Navy MH-60S “Knighthawk” helicopter in a remote area of West Virginia, with the majority of the personnel safely extracted from the crash site.

There are injuries reported to the 17 crew and passengers aboard, but none of the injuries are life threatening.

There are no fatalities. The names of the injured are not being released at this time.

The helicopter is assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 26 from Naval Station Norfolk. It was participating in “Operation Southbound Trooper X” at Ft. Pickett, Va., when the crash happened.

Operation Southern Trooper is an annual exercise focusing on the integration of joint U.S. and NATO tactics and procedures as well as inter-service coordination and capabilities.

A West Virginia Army National Guard search and rescue crew flying HH-60 “Blackhawk” helicopters and a C-130 located the downed aircraft on the evening of Feb. 18 in a rugged, snow-covered area near Lewisburg, W.Va. Medical personnel were lowered to the site to provide assistance for the injured. Other rescue personnel are enroute to the area with additional equipment and supplies.

Those aboard the helicopter included Navy, Marine and National Guard personnel.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.