[mystery-ak]

I assumed it was the crew of the chopper.
God rest your souls

[classygreeneyedblonde]

but it said they were passengers

[xzins]

The article said they were passengers. Rangers generally do not "crew" helicopters. By that I mean current members of Ranger Regiments. The crew of a helicopter, however, could be sporting Ranger Tabs.

Other possibilities are that they were "security" or "medics" or "guides."