WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- All seven service members aboard the American HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter that crashed in Iraq Thursday are dead, the U.S. Army confirmed Friday.
The U.S. Central Command said the aircraft crashed in western Iraq at approximately 1845 GMT Thursday.
"All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations at Combined Joint Task Force, said. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day."
The Central Command said the crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity, adding that it was being investigated.
The helicopter was not on a combat mission, it said Thursday.
An accompanying U.S. helicopter reported the crash and a quick reaction force comprising Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition members secured the scene.
The names of the victims will be released by the Department of Defense after their next of kin have been notified.
Earlier Friday, the Iraqi military said an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter had crashed in al-Qaim area in western Anbar Province and a number of its crew were killed.
