US-led coalition helicopter crashes in northern Iraq

Defense The shadow of a Blackhawk helicopter in Iraq
U.S. Army photo

A military helicopter belonging to the US-led coalition against ISIS crashed during a training mission in the Gwer district, 50 kilometers west of Erbil in Northern Iraq.  

“Coalition service members conducting a routine helicopter training mission experienced an in-flight mishap,” the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said in a statement. “There were no Coalition casualties nor damage to Coalition or civilian infrastructure. The Coalition aircraft was damaged.”  

The exact model of the helicopter was not specified. 

Unconfirmed footage shared by local news portal Rudaw shows a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter allegedly departing the crash site to evacuate the crew. 

The US-led coalition against the Islamic State was established in 2014, bringing together Western armed forces, the Iraqi Security Forces, Kurdish Security Forces, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, among other partners. Over the years, the coalition has evolved its focus away from combat, and as of 2021, its primary mission is to provide training and advisory support to local security groups.