Two crew members of a US army helicopter wey crash near Strait of Hormuz on Monday don dey rescued by American sea drone, US officials don confirm.
Na first time the US military publicly confirm say dem use that kind vessel for such operation.
US Central Command, wey dem dey call Centcom, say the two soldiers dey safely rescued within about two hours and dem dey stable condition after their AH-64 Apache helicopter go down near coast of Oman while dem dey patrol regional waters.
US President Donald Trump accuse Iran say dem shoot down the aircraft while e dey patrol Strait of Hormuz and order retaliatory strikes for the country.
The crew members dem rescue by one uncrewed surface drone, wey be US Navy Corsair, wey Task Force 59 operate, according to US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins.
Task Force 59 na Bahrain-based unit wey the US military launch recent years to focus on operational deployment of unmanned systems wey team with manned operators to bolster maritime security across Middle East region.
The 24-foot drone get speed-boat style design, according to im manufacturer Saronic Technologies.
Hawkins say Task Force 59 begin field these drones for Middle East late March.
E tell Associated Press say the unmanned vessel locate the two soldiers after dem spend about two hours for water.
For im statement on Tuesday, Centcom say the two crew members dem rescue at 19:33 EDT, wey be 23:33 GMT, on Monday.
Rescue efforts na US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division lead, with support from US Air Force and Navy units wey include US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59, the statement add.
