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Posted on 06/09/2026 7:51:29 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter went down near the coast of Oman Monday evening while on patrol, with both crew members rescued within two hours in what military officials are describing as a historic first: the first known rescue of downed military personnel by an unmanned surface vessel.
U.S. Central Command confirmed Tuesday that the two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache pilots were rescued near the Strait of Hormuz after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman on Monday evening. The Apache was "patrolling regional waters" when the incident occurred, CENTCOM said.
A Task Force 59 unmanned surface vessel, essentially a drone boat, found and rescued the soldiers, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told NBC News. Both soldiers were receiving medical care and are in stable condition.
This incident appears to be the first publicly reported rescue of downed aircrew by an unmanned surface vessel in a real-world operational environment, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. military's integration of autonomous systems into active combat operations.
Rescue efforts were led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from U.S. Air Force and Navy units including Task Force 59. Task Force 59 is the U.S. Navy's dedicated unmanned and AI task force, established in September 2021 and headquartered in Bahrain, operating across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Red Sea.
The cause of the crash remains unknown and under investigation. Officials are investigating whether Iranian fire brought the helicopter down, two American officials and a third source with knowledge told Axios. It remains unclear whether the Apache was shot down by Iranian fire, suffered a mechanical failure, or encountered another problem. One official told Axios that the cause may become clearer once the two crew members, currently undergoing treatment, are interviewed.
President Trump confirmed the crew was safe Monday night, in characteristic fashion — on the tarmac after attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. "The pilots are fine. Nobody injured. We are going to issue a report tomorrow, but the pilots are fine," Trump told reporters.
The U.S. has been using Apache AH-64 helicopters to patrol the Strait of Hormuz as part of military operations, providing deterrence and cover for commercial vessels navigating the waterway. Previously, Apaches destroyed six Iranian fast-attack boats that were harassing ships in the Strait.
The incident comes amid a renewed flare-up in the Iran-Israel conflict. Monday's crash followed a reescalation of tensions between Iran and Israel, which exchanged fire Sunday for the first time since an April ceasefire. Iranian state media acknowledged the crash but offered no additional details and made no claim of responsibility.
For the U.S. military, the successful drone boat rescue is likely to accelerate investment in autonomous systems for personnel recovery and combat search and rescue — proving in a live operational environment what had until now only been tested in exercises.
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Would love to know how they managed to get out of the helo ditching it in the water. Wouldn’t imagine that’s a scenario they actually train for.
how cool is that
The Marines operate attack helicopters off of LHDs. I would hope that Army pilots operating regularly over water would get some of that training, which I would bet money includes ditching procedures. It wouldn’t be something I’d want to have to do, either, but it would seem to be something they would train for.
Why wouldn’t they train for something like what happened?
I'd hate to be the pilot told that it's coming out of his check.
Of course they train for that.
“Would love to know how they managed to get out of the helo ditching it in the water. Wouldn’t imagine that’s a scenario they actually train for.”
Well, they trained me for it. Strapped me into an ancient Huey, flipped us upside down, and dropped us offshore and we swam back.
A little duct tape and it will be fine.
Very interesting
the drone should also have a mini-fridge with a six-pack of cold beer for the rescued pilots to enjoy on their way back.
It is absolutely something both military and civilian helo crews train for when their mission requires extended over-water flight. Training includes a practical exercise.
Really? It's a scenario that I would very much think they DO train for. Still, it seems it would be hard for the two pilots, not so much for crew members in the back.
Man, that’s way nicer than what they did to us.
Man, that’s way nicer than what they did to us.
It’s called...two options...both options make themselves targets...so...money vs man...
Strange story. Can’t imagine two pilots alone in the water for two hourrs. Would think that within minutes a land based rescue helicpter would have retrieved them. Wonder what they felt when instead of a friendly uniformed rescue crew who spoke to them and offered a strong arm, a pilotless boat shows up and they had to get in by themselves and hoped it worked.
“Can’t imagine two pilots alone in the water for two hourrs. Would think that within minutes a land based rescue helicpter would have retrieved them.”
What land?
I suspect this was fairly close to Iranian coast, making aircraft rescue undesirable.
“Wonder what they felt when instead of a friendly uniformed rescue crew who spoke to them and offered a strong arm, a pilotless boat shows up and they had to get in by themselves and hoped it worked.”
I bet they were damn happy, regardless.
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