UPDATE: September 19, 2025 at 10:41 p.m.
Army officials have confirmed that four U.S. Army soldiers, part of an elite team known for conducting night missions, lost their lives in the crash. The soldiers were aboard an MH-60 aircraft during a routine training mission west of the base.
Recovery efforts are still underway as the crash remains under investigation.
Army officials have stated that the names of the deceased soldiers will be released at a later date.
UPDATE: September 18, 2025 at 3:32 p.m.
Army officials have announced that four services members were on board the helicopter when it crashed near Washington state’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The soldiers were members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Airborne.
No information has been shared about the conditions of those involved in the incident.
According to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the wildfire ignited by the crash has expanded to one acre in size.
The incident remains under investigation, and a cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
SUMMIT LAKE, Wash. – The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a helicopter crash that’s possibly military early Thursday morning.
“We have been advised that the military lost contact with a helicopter in the area, and we are working closely with JBLM to deploy any resources needed to assist,” TCSO wrote on social media.
Sheriff Sanders also confirmed the crash on social media, stating that rescue efforts are on pause because the scene is on fire.
This is a developing story.
This story was updated on September 18 at 11:21 a.m. with statement from Sheriff Sanders.
