4 Die in Army Base Helicopter Crash

Two US Army helicopters crashed during a training mission last night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, killing four soldiers. The reconnaissance choppers crashed after 8pm in the southwest training area of the sprawling base, according to the Army. "We don't have details on what actually occurred," said a base spokesman. "That will be part of the investigation." It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft collided or crashed separately.

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, often called a scout helicopter, is a single-engine, four-bladed aircraft used for armed reconnaissance, the spokesman said. The base is one of the largest in the US, with about 100,000 military and civilian personnel. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the soldiers involved in this tragic accident," said a top official at the base. (More military bases stories.)