The first American has died in the new air war against the jihadi army ISIS in northern Iraq and Syria.
The serviceman, a Marine, was a crewman in a new MV-22 rescue aircraft which suddenly lost power and fell towards the sea. Two Marines jumped out of the apparently doomed aircraft, just before the pilots recovered control and saved themselves and their high-tech aircraft from destruction.
The other Marine was rescued from the sea.
“The Navy and Marine Corps will investigate the cause of the incident,” said a Navy press statement.
“In accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy, the name of the Marine will be withheld until 24 hours after family member notification,” the statement added.
The aircraft is based on a U.S. Navy amphibious warfare ship, the U.S.S. Makin Island.
The V-22 is a tilt-rotor aircraft that can take off like a helicopter, but fly like a normal propellor-powered aircraft. The MV-22 is an upgraded version outfitted for night operations and for aerial refueling, and is typically used to to rescue pilots shot down over hostile territory.