Norway announces 4 US troops killed in plane crash during NATO exercise

By AP 19 March 2022, 10:49 am

Edit

In this file photo taken on May 26, 2015, a MV-22B Osprey aircraft flies during the "Platinum Eagle 15" military exercise at training facilities in Babadag, Romania. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP)

OSLO, Norway — The prime minister of Norway says four US service members have died in a plane crash during NATO drills.

Jonas Gahr Støre tweets that the service members were participating in the NATO exercise “Cold Response,” which is taking place in northern Norway.

He writes: “Our deepest sympathies go to the soldiers’ families, relatives and fellow soldiers in their unit.”

The annual drills in Norway are unrelated to the war in Ukraine. 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.

The exercises began on March 14 and end on April 1.

According to the Norwegian police, the American V-22B Osprey aircraft that crashed belonged to the US Marine Corps.

The aircraft had a crew of four and was out on a training mission in Nordland County. It was on its way north to Bodø, where it was scheduled to land just before 6 p.m. yesterday.

The plane crashed in Gråtådalen in Beiarn, south of Bodø. Police say a search and rescue mission was launched immediately. At 1:30 a.m. this morning, the police arrived at the scene and confirmed that the crew of four had died.