Yes, none of this makes sense. They found the helicopter. If the occupants were in it and dead the word used would have been “recovery”. You can’t rescue dead people, so that indicates they are alive but walked away from the wreck, which also doesn’t make sense. What, they went for ice cream?
The -last- thing they would do if the 53 was intact would be to walk away. It’s shelter, and it is what would be found.
Sounds like crashed and they are combing the wreckage field.
Hate it but that will be what it is. Damned tragic.
As for those who want to know why they flew in bad weather. Because wars happen in bad weather. They train how they fight. Same reason USMC grunts are out in the field training when it’s sleet, rain, snow or sweltering heat.
Prayers for those brave men.
My guess is they are just not going to announce the loss of those men pending notification.
This is just bureaucracy.