US Army Black Hawk Involved in Fatal Washington Crash Was Part of Doomsday Readiness Unit

On Wednesday, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger jet over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals on both aircraft. The Black Hawk, operated by the 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was conducting a routine night training mission along a designated route known as Route 4, which follows the Potomac River. This battalion is integral to the U.S. military’s “continuity of government” operations, responsible for evacuating senior officials during national emergencies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the crew was performing annual re-training for this mission. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collision.