The annual NATO drills in Norway are unrelated to the war in Ukraine.
HELSINKI — Four U.S. soldiers were killed in a plane crash during a NATO exercise unrelated to the Ukraine war, Norway’s prime minister said Saturday.
Jonas Gahr Støre tweeted that they were killed in the crash on Friday night. The cause was under investigation. “The soldiers participated in the NATO exercise Cold Response,” he said. “Our deepest sympathies go to the soldiers’ families, relatives and fellow soldiers in their unit.”The plane was a V-22B Osprey that belongs to the U.S. Marine Corps, Norway’s armed forces said.
It was on its way north to Bodø, where it was scheduled to land just before 6 p.m. Friday. The plane crashed in Gråtådalen in Beiarn, south of Bodø. Police said a search and rescue mission was launched immediately. At 1:30 a.m. Saturday, the police arrived at the scene and confirmed that the crew of four had died.
This year they included around 30,000 troops, 220 aircraft and 50 vessels from 27 countries. Non-NATO members Finland and Sweden are also participating.No cause was given for the crash, but the Norwegian armed forces said that Cold Response “will carry on as planned, with the measures we have to take due to the weather.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Marines involved in 'incident' in Norway during NATO exercise, rescue underwayA U.S. Marine corps aircraft was involved in an “incident” in northern Norway while conducting a NATO exercise on Friday, according to officials.
Read more »
Four U.S. service members killed after aircraft crashes in Norway during NATO exerciseThe U.S. Marine Corps aircraft was reported missing Friday while participating in a NATO military exercise, the Norwegian military said earlier.
Read more »
NATO unity faltering as calls grow for a no-fly zone over UkraineNATO's secretary-general said the alliance opposes the idea, but Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Slovenia have called for the zone.
Read more »
100K US service members in Europe amid Russia-Ukraine war: NATO secretaryThere are 100,000 U.S. troops in Europe as of Thursday, as NATO increases its presence in the eastern flank and Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth week.
Read more »
Why Ukraine hasn't been admitted to NATOFormer U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder explains why Ukraine isn't a member of NATO.
Read more »
South Africa’s president blames NATO for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: 'war could have been avoided'South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday blamed NATO for provoking Russia into invading its neighbor Ukraine.
Read more »