Five US Service Members Dead After Military Aircraft Crash Over Mediterranean Sea

Although the United States has not formally entered the Israel-Hamas war, America nevertheless suffered our first casualties related to the conflict Saturday when five servicemembers perished in an aircraft crash over the eastern Mediterranean Sea during a routine training mission.

All five are presumed dead:

U.S. European Command (EUCOM) said the aircraft “suffered a mishap” and crashed into the sea during a routine air refueling mission. Search and rescue efforts began immediately, including nearby U.S. military aircraft and ships. All five service members on board the aircraft were determined to have died.

An investigation into the crash is underway, though military officials have said that there are no indications of any hostile activity involved.

The president weighed in:

“Our nation shares their grief,” Biden said of the family members of the fallen. “Our service members put their lives on the line for our country every day. They willingly take risks to keep the American people safe and secure. And their daily bravery and selflessness is an enduring testament to what is best in our nation.”

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said officials were still investigating the cause of the crash:

“While we continue to gather more information about this deadly crash, it is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe,” the statement said. “They represent the best of America. We will remember their service and their sacrifice.”

Although it’s unclear which military service the aircraft belonged to, the U.S. recently sent two aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, to the region as the war in the Middle East intensifies.

The identities of the five have not yet been released:

European Command said that out of respect for the families of the service members and in line with Department of Defense policy, the identities of the crew members are being withheld for 24 hours until the families of those killed have been notified.

EUCOM is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic, and the Atlantic Ocean:

The United States European Command is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers 21,000,000 square miles and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, The Caucasus, Russia and Greenland.