Key facts
- A U.S. Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Two crew members were rescued by an American uncrewed surface drone.
- This marks the first publicly confirmed use of such a vessel in a rescue operation.
- President Trump accused Iran of shooting down the aircraft.
Two U.S. soldiers were rescued by an American sea drone after their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz while patrolling regional waters. The rescue, confirmed by U.S. Central Command, took approximately two hours, and the soldiers are in stable condition. This incident marks the first time the U.S. military has publicly confirmed the use of such an uncrewed vessel in a rescue operation. The drone, a 24-foot speed-boat style vessel operated by Task Force 59, is capable of carrying significant payload over long distances. President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down the aircraft during its patrol.