An Arizona Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Marana, Arizona on March 4, 2015. The helicopter was reported missing on March 10. (AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT / US ARMY AIR NATIONAL GUARD / Staff Sgt. Brian A. Barbour)
Seven US Marines and four aircrew were missing today after an army helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Florida, the military said.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was reported missing Tuesday around 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Wednesday) near Eglin Air Force Base while the area was under heavy fog.
Base spokesman Andy Bourland said search and rescue teams located debris from the aircraft around 2:00 am (0600 GMT).
"Search and rescue efforts are underway at the accident site currently," he added, noting the accident was under investigation.
A second helicopter returned safely to the base.
The aircraft, assigned to the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond, Louisiana, were participating in what the military called a routine training mission with the Marine Special Operations Regiment from Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.