American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2002 -- Twelve
U.S. service members
are feared dead in the crash of
a CH-47 helicopter in the
Philippines.
The Army chopper crashed into the
sea while flying from
Basilan Island to Mactan Air Base.
The crash occurred
approximately 120 miles north-northeast
of the city of
Zamboanga on the island of Mindanao.
There was no sign of hostile fire.
The helicopter crashed
at 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22 local time,
approximately 30 minutes
after it took off. The U.S. service
members are in the
Philippines in support of the U.S.
effort to train and
advise Philippine forces in their
efforts against global
terrorism, U.S. Pacific Command
officials in Hawaii said.
Another CH-47 that was flying with
the chopper immediately
searched the area for survivors.
Other U.S. aircraft are
assisting in the search. Philippine
embassy officials said
their forces are also searching
for survivors.
United States Army:
Maj. Curtis D. Feistner
Capt. Bartt D. Owens
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor
Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity
Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith
Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth, Jr.
Sgt. Jeremy D. Foshee
Spc. Thomas F. Allison
United States Air Force:
Master Sgt. William L. McDaniel II
Staff Sgt. Juan M. Ridout
The eight U.S.
Army soldiers are members of the 160th
Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell,
Ky. The
two U.S. Air Force airmen are assigned to the 353rd Special
Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
A final determination
on the status of these individuals
has not yet been made. Search and rescue efforts
continue with
the U.S. working closely with the Philippine navy and
coast
guard units. The cause of the accident is under investigation.