The U.S. military used a naval sea drone to rescue two Army pilots after their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night. This operation marks the first of its kind for the U.S. military. The cause of the crash is currently unknown, with possibilities including enemy action or mechanical failure. The pilots were rescued within approximately two hours and are reported to be in stable condition.
CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins stated that the rescue was conducted using a U.S. Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by the 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59. This task force began deploying these drones in the region in late March. The Corsair is a 24-foot vessel capable of carrying up to 1,000 pounds over 1,000 nautical miles and can reach speeds exceeding 35 knots per hour.
The rescue operation was coordinated by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from Air Force and Navy units. President Donald Trump confirmed the pilots' safety, stating, "The pilots are fine. Nobody injured."
This incident occurs amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with a fragile ceasefire in place. Recent hostilities included Hezbollah firing projectiles into northern Israel, followed by retaliatory actions from both sides. The U.S. is pursuing a broader agreement to de-escalate tensions, particularly concerning threats to vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil and gas distribution.
The U.S. military is also enhancing its drone capabilities in response to Iran's use of ballistic missiles and drones against vessels and Gulf countries supporting U.S. operations. U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper noted a shift in strategy towards using low-cost, one-way attack drones to counter Iranian threats, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive air defense systems.