Pentagon: 7 killed in U.S. helicopter crash in Iraq

Jane Onyanga-Omara | USA TODAY

All seven service members aboard a U.S. helicopter were killed when it crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, the U.S. military said Friday.

The crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity, it added. A Pentagon official who spoke on condition of anonymity said there were seven service members aboard the aircraft.

The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter —a type of Black Hawk — went down near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province at approximately 2:45 p.m. ET.

It was not on a combat mission when it crashed, CNN reported.

An accompanying U.S. helicopter reported the incident and Iraqi security forces and members of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq secured the scene, said the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

Coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga said the service members' names would be released after their relatives have been informed.

"This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today," Braga said in a statement.

Two New York fire officials were among those who died in the crash, the FDNY confirmed Friday. They were Lt. Christopher Raguso, 39, and fire marshall Christopher “Tripp” Zanetis, 37.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his condolences for the two men.

“They are truly two of New York City’s bravest – running into danger to protect and defend others, both in New York City and in combat overseas," de Blasio said. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, and fellow service members and FDNY members.”

Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, a U.S. Air Force pararescueman, also died in the crash, friends confirmed. Enis, 31, of Tallahassee, Fla., was a member of the 308th Rescue Squadron.

"I am speechless and I am heartbroken," wrote Dan Sherraden in a Facebook post. "One of our very best friends was killed in Iraq yesterday. Carl Enis was the most stable, genuine, selfless, and talented man I have ever known."

Daniel Martinko met Enis, originally from Miami, around 2005 as a freshman in college in Tallahassee. “He’s the best guy I’ve ever met. I mean truly,” Martinko said in a phone interview. “Any interaction he ever had with anybody he left them better than he found them.”

Martinko said he learned of Enis’ death on Facebook and later talked to his brother-in-law and a few of their mutual friends. “It killed me,” he said. “This is a total loss for everybody that’s ever known him or never got to.”

President Trump offered condolences Friday to the families of those who died. "Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten, the president tweeted.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the brave troops lost in the helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border yesterday. Their sacrifice in service to our country will never be forgotten. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2018

Contributing: Karl Etters and Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat