Air Force helicopter makes emergency landing after being shot

U.S. Air Force helicopter is forced to make emergency landing at Virginia airport after ‘someone shot it from the ground’ and injured a crew member

  • A UH-1N Huey helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia on Monday 
  • The military chopper, assigned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, had been making a routine training flight when it was shot at from the ground
  • The FBI on Wednesday confirmed it is investigating the incident
  • One crew member was taken to the hospital after sustaining minor injuries and was later released

A U.S. Air Force helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at a Virginia airport after someone reportedly shot it from the ground and injured a crew member, officials have said.  

A UH-1N Huey helicopter, assigned to the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, was conducting a routine training flight above Middleburg, Virginia, when it was struck by a bullet on Monday, McClatchy DC reported. 

Officials said the military chopper declared an emergency landing around 12.20pm before touching down safely 10 miles north west at Manassas Regional Airport. 

The FBI has launched an investigation after an Air Force helicopter (stock photo) was shot at from the ground in Virginia on Monday 

The injured crew member was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries and was later released, authorities said.  

‘Initial findings are that the helicopter was struck by a bullet resulting in a minor injury to an aircrew member and damage to the aircraft,’ the Air Force said in a statement on Wednesday. 

The FBI confirmed it is now investigating the shooting to determine whether or not it was a targeted attack.   

‘The FBI Washington Field Office is working jointly with our law enforcement partners, including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,’ the bureau said in a statement. 

‘One individual in the helicopter sustained a non-threatening injury, for which he was treated and subsequently released from the hospital,’ they added. 

Officials said one crew member was injured in the incident and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries before being released. Pictured: Members of the 1st Helicopter Squadron flying UH-1 Hueys over Washington in May

Officials said one crew member was injured in the incident and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries before being released. Pictured: Members of the 1st Helicopter Squadron flying UH-1 Hueys over Washington in May

Airport officials said they had received a call just after noon on Monday informing them a ‘military helicopter was inbound and that paramedics were on the way’. 

The aircraft was about 10 miles northwest of the airport and was flying about 1,000 feet above the ground when it was hit, according to officials.   

Investigators said they are also looking to speak with any witnesses and have asked anyone who was in the area at the time to call the FBI. 

The squadron transports senior military and civilian leaders, along with high-ranking dignitaries, and also performs emergency medical evacuations. 

Joint Base Andrews, which is under the U.S. Air Force 11th Wing, is also home to presidential aircraft, Air Force One. 

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