American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2006  - A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in a sparsely populated area 12 kilometers east of Tal Afar, Iraq, late yesterday, killing passengers and crew, military officials reported today.

The aircraft, flying in support of Task Force Band of Brothers, was part of a two-helicopter flight moving between bases in northern Iraq when communications were lost shortly before midnight. Flight records indicate that eight passengers and four crewmembers were aboard.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched from nearby military installations. The aircraft was located today about noon local time.

Officials did not know the cause of the crash, and the incident remains under investigation.

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

(Based on a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)

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