A Marine Corps helicopter carrying 25 crashed in the Gulf of Aden — but all 25 aboard were brought to safety, U.S. Navy officials said.
A few of the 17 Marines and eight Navy sailors suffered minor injuries, The Associated Press reported.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed during an attempted landing aboard the USS Mesa Verde.
The Navy specified that the incident did not stem from any hostile fire, AP reported. Rather, those aboard had been training in Dijbouti and were simply headed back to the ship.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sent the USS Mesa Verde — a transport dock ship that’s ported in Norfolk, Virginia — into the Persian Gulf weeks ago due to growing concerns about the Islamic State and the terrorist group’s push into Baghdad.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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