Article Posted on : - Dec 14, 2011

OH-58D Kiowa Helicopter

RAINIER, WASHINGTON (AP): Two US Army helicopters crashed, killing four soldiers, during a training mission last night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a military spokesman said.

The reconnaissance choppers crashed in the southwest training area of the sprawling base, according to the Army.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of the largest bases in the US, with about 100,000 military and civilian personnel.

The victims were not immediately identified, even by unit, pending notification of relatives.

It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft collided or crashed separately.

"We don't have details on what actually occurred," base spokesman J C Mathews said. "That will be part of the investigation."

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a single-engine, four-bladed aircraft used for armed reconnaissance, Mathews said. It's often called a scout helicopter.

Two sheriff's vehicles blocked access to a rural plot of land on Tuesday where officials erected large sets of lights to illuminate the crash site.