Nine US soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash during a routine training exercise in Kentucky on Wednesday. The soldiers were on board two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters that were conducting a routine training mission when they collided in mid-air and crashed.

The incident occurred at around 2:00 pm local time near the town of Leitchfield, which is located about 75 miles southwest of Louisville. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, but authorities say that there were no indications of any external factors or hostile activity involved in the incident.

According to reports, the soldiers were all members of the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, which is located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. The division is an elite unit of the US Army that specializes in air assault operations and has been deployed to a number of conflict zones around the world in recent years.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, Major General JP McGee, expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers who were killed in the crash. He described the incident as a “tragic loss” and said that the division was “mourning the loss of our teammates”.

The incident has also been condemned by a number of political figures, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers and ordered that flags be flown at half-mast in their honor.

The crash is the latest in a series of incidents involving military aircraft in recent years. In 2018, a US Marine Corps KC-130 crashed in Mississippi, killing all 16 people on board. In 2017, a US Navy transport plane crashed in the Philippine Sea, killing all 11 people on board. And in 2016, a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk crashed off the coast of Hawaii, killing all five soldiers on board.

The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of military aircraft and the training procedures used by the armed forces. In response, the military has taken steps to improve safety protocols and enhance training programs for pilots and other personnel.

The US Army has also announced that it will be conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the Kentucky crash and will take any necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The incident has also sparked a debate about the use of military helicopters in training exercises. Some have called for stricter safety protocols and greater oversight of training operations, while others have defended the use of helicopters in military training, citing their importance in preparing soldiers for combat situations.

The crash has also brought renewed attention to the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families. The soldiers who lost their lives in the Kentucky crash were all serving their country and training to defend it against potential threats.

As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, the families of the soldiers are left to grieve their loss and mourn the passing of their loved ones. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel on a daily basis and the sacrifices they make in service to their country.