THURSTON COUNTY, WA – Search efforts are intensifying after a Blackhawk helicopter from Joint Base Lewis-McChord crashed with four military personnel aboard. Witnesses reported seeing flashes and hearing a loud crash as the helicopter went down near Summit Lake, in a wooded area difficult to access.
Residents in the area described the terrifying scene. David Sloan, who was unloading groceries with his son, Jack, noticed their home’s lights flickering before witnessing what appeared to be flashes of lightning. Moments later, they heard the unmistakable sounds of twisting metal followed by a loud crash and two massive explosions.
Sloan immediately called 911 and alerted neighbors. The impact of the crash was so intense it briefly disrupted local power. Multiple local fire departments and Thurston County sheriff’s deputies responded, but rescue efforts were hindered by the fire at the crash site, which was intense enough to cause overheating of responders’ footwear.
The crash also downed power lines, and the Department of Natural Resources was called in to manage a resulting wildfire that covered about an acre. Concerns for the safety of the crew and the surrounding community were palpable among residents.
According to a U.S. Army spokesperson, the helicopter was on a routine training flight when air traffic controllers at Gray Army Airfield lost contact. The service members on board were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Army’s most elite helicopter unit.
The unit’s reputation is well-established, having been involved in high-profile missions, including the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. As of now, no official information on casualties has been released.
The U.S. Army has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.