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| US aircrew made 'ultimate sacrifice' in UK helicopter crash | |
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| Four American servicemen made "the ultimate sacrifice" when they were killed after their helicopter crashed in a training exercise on the north Norfolk coast, a senior US air force commander has said. | Four American servicemen made "the ultimate sacrifice" when they were killed after their helicopter crashed in a training exercise on the north Norfolk coast, a senior US air force commander has said. |
| As more details came to light about the fatal accident, Colonel Kyle Robinson said the servicemen were all highly qualified and were carrying out low-level combat search and rescue manouvres when their helicopter ditched into salt marshes. | As more details came to light about the fatal accident, Colonel Kyle Robinson said the servicemen were all highly qualified and were carrying out low-level combat search and rescue manouvres when their helicopter ditched into salt marshes. |
| "I am deeply saddened by the loss of these great airmen. They have made the ultimate sacrifice while training to save the lives of others," said Robinson, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. | "I am deeply saddened by the loss of these great airmen. They have made the ultimate sacrifice while training to save the lives of others," said Robinson, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. |
| Police said on Thursday morning that the US air force had been given authority to recover the bodies of the four servicemen as investigations continue into the cause of the crash. | Police said on Thursday morning that the US air force had been given authority to recover the bodies of the four servicemen as investigations continue into the cause of the crash. |
| The servicemen have been named as captains Christopher Stover, Sean Ruane, technical sergeant Dale Mathews and staff sergeant Afton Ponce. | The servicemen have been named as captains Christopher Stover, Sean Ruane, technical sergeant Dale Mathews and staff sergeant Afton Ponce. |
| A 400-metre police cordon remains in place around the crash site, which is strewn with debris and munition from the aircraft. | A 400-metre police cordon remains in place around the crash site, which is strewn with debris and munition from the aircraft. |
| The crashed Pave Hawk helicopter was carrying 500 rounds of standard 50 calibre bullets and a 9mm sidearm with 15 bullets as part of the routine training exercise on Tuesday night. | The crashed Pave Hawk helicopter was carrying 500 rounds of standard 50 calibre bullets and a 9mm sidearm with 15 bullets as part of the routine training exercise on Tuesday night. |
| Norfolk police chief superintendent Bob Scully said that the investigation and recovery process would take weeks. | Norfolk police chief superintendent Bob Scully said that the investigation and recovery process would take weeks. |
| "Police and other agencies remain on scene today as the investigation continues and will ensure the recovery of the bodies is dignified and respectful," he said. | "Police and other agencies remain on scene today as the investigation continues and will ensure the recovery of the bodies is dignified and respectful," he said. |
| "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the military personnel who lost their lives in this tragic incident. The scene is on difficult ground and the longer-term investigation and recovery work will take many more weeks." | "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the military personnel who lost their lives in this tragic incident. The scene is on difficult ground and the longer-term investigation and recovery work will take many more weeks." |
| Speaking at RAF Lakenheath, a large US air force base 50 miles from the crash site, Robinson described the four servicemen as "highly qualified in what they did and capable" airmen who had been in the force between two and 17 years. | Speaking at RAF Lakenheath, a large US air force base 50 miles from the crash site, Robinson described the four servicemen as "highly qualified in what they did and capable" airmen who had been in the force between two and 17 years. |
| The colonel said other four Pave Hawk helicopters would not be flown from the base for the remainder of the week out of respect for the families of the fallen men. | The colonel said other four Pave Hawk helicopters would not be flown from the base for the remainder of the week out of respect for the families of the fallen men. |
| "This has obviously been a very traumatic incident for an entire Liberty Wing family and in particular the 56th and we want to maintain and make sure we are taking care of the families and that the air crew members are safe before they head back out." | "This has obviously been a very traumatic incident for an entire Liberty Wing family and in particular the 56th and we want to maintain and make sure we are taking care of the families and that the air crew members are safe before they head back out." |
| In a message to the families of the servicemen, Robinson added: "As a husband and father myself, I cannot imagine how heartbroken you must feel, now missing a piece of your family. | In a message to the families of the servicemen, Robinson added: "As a husband and father myself, I cannot imagine how heartbroken you must feel, now missing a piece of your family. |
| "I speak for the entire wing when I say that we are thinking of you, we are praying for you, and we are here for you." | "I speak for the entire wing when I say that we are thinking of you, we are praying for you, and we are here for you." |
| Robinson said it was too early to speculate about what had caused the crash. Local politicians and residents said the crash highlighted longstanding concerns about low-flying military aircraft conducting risky training manouvres on the north Norfolk coast, which is a famous nature reserve known for breeding large seabirds. | Robinson said it was too early to speculate about what had caused the crash. Local politicians and residents said the crash highlighted longstanding concerns about low-flying military aircraft conducting risky training manouvres on the north Norfolk coast, which is a famous nature reserve known for breeding large seabirds. |
| Wendy Wyatt, a former councillor who lives near the crash site, said she had complained several times about low-flying aircraft that once came so close to her cottage she exchanged waves with a pilot. | Wendy Wyatt, a former councillor who lives near the crash site, said she had complained several times about low-flying aircraft that once came so close to her cottage she exchanged waves with a pilot. |
| "They are going too low. I don't know whether they are allowed to but something needs to be done," she said. "It's quite frightening thinking they are carrying guns and bullets. You can only complain so many times." | "They are going too low. I don't know whether they are allowed to but something needs to be done," she said. "It's quite frightening thinking they are carrying guns and bullets. You can only complain so many times." |
| Richard Kelham, chair of Cley parish council, said flying so close to a breeding ground for birds was an "accident waiting to happen" and had prompted complaints to nearby RAF bases. Another councillor, Jennifer Murray, said regulations had been introduced 15 years ago to order the aircraft to fly higher when using the area. | Richard Kelham, chair of Cley parish council, said flying so close to a breeding ground for birds was an "accident waiting to happen" and had prompted complaints to nearby RAF bases. Another councillor, Jennifer Murray, said regulations had been introduced 15 years ago to order the aircraft to fly higher when using the area. |
| Brendan Joyce, chief executive of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust which runs the Cley Marshes nature reserve, said the trust had lobbied the Ministry of Defence and local MPs about low-flying training missions in the area a year ago. | Brendan Joyce, chief executive of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust which runs the Cley Marshes nature reserve, said the trust had lobbied the Ministry of Defence and local MPs about low-flying training missions in the area a year ago. |
| "It has been quite upsetting for visitors for visitors and residents to be staring down the barrel of an Apache helicopter gun," he said. "Our thoughts are the with families of the bereaved airman, so it doesn't seem to be the right time to be raising those concerns again." | "It has been quite upsetting for visitors for visitors and residents to be staring down the barrel of an Apache helicopter gun," he said. "Our thoughts are the with families of the bereaved airman, so it doesn't seem to be the right time to be raising those concerns again." |
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