US Army Apache Helicopter Crew Rescued After Crash Off Oman Coast
On June 8, 2026, two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache crew members were rescued within two hours after their helicopter crashed near the coast of Oman during a patrol mission. The rescue, led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division with support from Task Force 59, occurred near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Both soldiers are in stable condition. The cause is under investigation, and the incident comes amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions and recent military operations in the region.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
US military rescues Apache crew via sea drone in first operational use after years of drills
The US military successfully conducted its first real-world rescue mission using an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) after Iran shot down an AH-64 Apache helicopter off the coast of Oman in early June. A US Navy sea drone, operated by Task Force 59 — a unit focused on integrating drones and artificial intelligence into naval operations — picked up two American soldiers within roughly two hours. The rescue marked a 'significant step forward' for American drone operations. The US had rehearsed similar medical evacuation scenarios during exercises in the Gulf of Aqaba years prior. The Corsair USV, a 24-foot drone made by Saronic Technologies, played an integral role by moving the crew to a location where they could be hoisted by helicopter. The mission demonstrates the increasing value of autonomous systems in naval operations, amid broader pushes by NATO and allies to integrate drones for casualty evacuation and battlefield support.
All Content from Business InsiderSaronic's Corsair Drone Boat Makes History Rescuing Apache Helicopter Crew Off Oman
On June 8, 2026, a U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessel, the Saronic Corsair, located and recovered two U.S. Army Apache helicopter crew members who had crashed near the coast of Oman. The autonomous 24-foot vessel, capable of 35+ knots and a 1,000-pound payload, transported the aviators to a safe point before they were airlifted by U.S. Air Force and Navy units. This marks the first publicly reported personnel recovery by an unmanned surface vessel. The operation was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from Task Force 59, the 5th Fleet's unmanned systems task force. Both crew members were recovered within two hours and reported in stable condition. Saronic Technologies, an Austin-based startup, confirmed the Corsair's role, highlighting its ability to operate in hazardous environments without risking additional crew.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsSaronic USV Rescues Two U.S. Army Pilots Downed by Iran
A U.S. Navy drone task force, Task Force 59, conducted a first-of-its-kind rescue mission in Middle Eastern waters using a Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) to recover two U.S. Army pilots. The pilots were downed after their AH-64 attack helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces near Oman, as confirmed by a social media post from U.S. President Trump, who pledged American retaliation. The rescue operation took two hours, and the pilots were reported in stable condition. The Corsair USV, capable of operating over 1,000 nautical miles and supporting 1,000-pound payloads, is part of a broader integration of unmanned systems by CENTCOM since the start of the U.S.-Iran War in March. The mission highlights the expanding role of USVs in combat and search-and-rescue operations.
Naval NewsSaronic USV Rescues Two U.S. Army Pilots Downed by Iran in Middle Eastern Waters
A U.S. Navy drone task force, Task Force 59, conducted a first-of-its-kind rescue mission using a Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) to retrieve two U.S. Army pilots whose AH-64 attack helicopter was downed by Iranian forces near Oman. The rescue took two hours, and the pilots were reported in stable condition. U.S. President Trump confirmed the incident on social media, stating that Iranian forces downed the helicopter and pledging American retaliation. The Corsair USV, capable of operating over 1,000 nautical miles and supporting 1,000-pound payloads, is part of a broader integration of unmanned systems by CENTCOM since the start of the U.S.-Iran War in March. This mission marks the first known use of USVs for search and rescue operations, highlighting their expanding role in maritime domain awareness and combat support.
Naval NewsSaronic USV Rescues Two U.S. Army Pilots Downed by Iran
A U.S. Navy drone task force conducted a historic rescue mission in Middle Eastern waters, using a Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) to retrieve two U.S. Army pilots whose AH-64 attack helicopter was downed by Iranian forces near Oman. The rescue, executed by Task Force 59, took two hours and the pilots were reported in stable condition. U.S. President Trump confirmed the incident on social media, stating Iranian forces downed the helicopter and pledging American retaliation. The Corsair USV, capable of operating over 1,000 nautical miles and supporting 1,000-pound payloads, marks the first known use of USVs for search and rescue. The event occurs within the context of the ongoing U.S.-Iran War that began in March, with American commanders highlighting the role of sea drones in maritime domain awareness and operations against Iran.
Naval NewsCorsair Drone Boat Rescues Downed Apache Crew in Gulf of Oman
U.S. Central Command confirmed that a Saronic Corsair uncrewed surface vessel (USV) operated by the Navy's Task Force 59 rescued the two-person crew of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter that was downed in the Gulf of Oman. President Donald Trump stated that Iranian forces were responsible for shooting down the helicopter and promised a response. The Corsair, a 24-foot autonomous drone boat first fielded by Task Force 59 in March 2026, picked up the aviators after they spent approximately two hours in the water and transported them to a location where they were hoisted to a helicopter. This marks the first known instance of a drone boat being used to recover personnel in a search and rescue mission, with significant implications for future operations. The Corsair has a range of 1,000 nautical miles, top speed of 35 knots, and 1,000-pound payload capacity.
The War ZoneCorsair Drone Boat Rescued Downed Apache Crew in Gulf of Oman
The U.S. Navy's Task Force 59 used a Saronic Corsair uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to rescue the two-person crew of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter that was downed in the Gulf of Oman. President Donald Trump stated that Iranian forces were responsible for shooting down the helicopter and promised a response. The Corsair, a 24-foot autonomous drone boat with a 1,000 nautical mile range and 35-knot top speed, picked up the aviators after they spent approximately two hours in the water and transported them to a location where they were hoisted to a helicopter. This marks the first known instance of a drone boat being used to recover personnel in a search and rescue mission. The Navy signed a $392 million contract with Saronic for Corsair production in December 2025, and Task Force 59 began fielding them in March 2026.
The War ZoneCorsair Drone Boat Rescues Downed Apache Crew in Gulf of Oman
The U.S. Navy's Task Force 59 used a Saronic Corsair uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to rescue the crew of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that was shot down in the Gulf of Oman. This marks the first known instance of a drone boat recovering personnel in a search and rescue mission. The Corsair, a 24-foot autonomous vessel with a 1,000 nautical mile range and 35 knot top speed, picked up the two aviators after they spent approximately two hours in the water and transported them to a location where they were hoisted to a helicopter. President Donald Trump stated that Iranian forces were responsible for downing the Apache and promised a U.S. response. The Corsair was fielded by Task Force 59 in late March 2026 under a $392 million contract with Saronic.
The War ZoneIn apparent first, Navy drone boat rescues helicopter crew downed at sea
A U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessel, the Corsair drone boat made by Saronic, rescued the crew of an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening. The helicopter was patrolling international waters off Oman when it crashed, reportedly hit by an Iranian Shahed drone according to CNN. The Corsair, operated by 5th Fleet's Task Force 59, arrived on scene about two hours later, picked up the crew, and transported them to another location where they were retrieved by a helicopter. The crew is in stable condition. President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the downing and called for a response. The incident marks an apparent first for the U.S. military in using an unmanned vessel for a combat rescue. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with the Army also probing a transmission problem on some AH-64E models.
Defense One - All ContentNavy Drone Boat Rescues Downed Apache Helicopter Crew Near Strait of Hormuz
On June 9, 2026, a U.S. Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) operated by Task Force 59 rescued the crew of an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz. The helicopter was reportedly hit by an Iranian Shahed drone, according to CNN. The 24-foot robot boat, made by Texas-based Saronic, arrived on scene about two hours after the crash, picked up the crew, and transported them to a secondary location for helicopter evacuation. The crew is in stable condition. The incident marks an apparent first for the U.S. military in using an unmanned vessel for a combat rescue. The Strait of Hormuz remains mostly closed to commercial shipping amid the ongoing U.S. war in Iran. The cause of the crash is under investigation, with a known transmission issue affecting some AH-64E models.
Defense One - All ContentNavy Drone Boat Rescues Downed Apache Helicopter Crew Near Strait of Hormuz
On June 8, 2026, a U.S. Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) rescued the crew of an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz. The helicopter was patrolling international waters off Oman when it was lost at sea, with U.S. officials citing an Iranian Shahed drone strike as the likely cause. The Corsair, a 24-foot robot boat made by Saronic and operated by 5th Fleet's Task Force 59, arrived on scene within two hours, picked up the crew, and transferred them to another location for helicopter evacuation. The crew is in stable condition. The incident occurs amid the ongoing U.S. war in Iran, which has closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping for over 100 days. President Trump stated the U.S. must respond to the attack. The Army is also investigating a transmission problem on some AH-64E models that could cause loss of tail rotor thrust and hydraulics.
Defense One - All ContentUnmanned US Navy Vessel Rescues Army Apache Helicopter Crew Near Strait of Hormuz
An unmanned U.S. Navy surface vessel, the Saronic Corsair, rescued two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crew members late Monday after their aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz. The crew members were located in waters close to the coast of Oman and were successfully picked up by the drone vessel, which is part of the Navy's artificial intelligence and unmanned systems program. The incident highlights the growing role of autonomous systems in military search and rescue operations in strategically critical maritime chokepoints.
Just In NewsAH-64 Apache Crew Rescued By Drone Boat After Going Down Near Strait Of Hormuz
On June 8, 2026, a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman. The two crew members were rescued within approximately two hours by a U.S. Navy uncrewed surface vessel (USV) operated by Task Force 59, marking the first known use of a drone boat for military personnel recovery. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The rescue was led 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 crew's safety. The Apache was part of ongoing U.S. operations enforcing a blockade of Iran and protecting commercial shipping, following recent engagements where Apaches and Navy helicopters destroyed Iranian boats threatening commercial vessels.
The War ZoneAH-64 Apache Crew Rescued By Drone Boat After Going Down Near Strait Of Hormuz
On June 8, 2026, a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman. The two crew members were rescued within approximately two hours by a U.S. Navy uncrewed surface vessel (USV) operated by Task Force 59, marking the first known use of a drone boat for military personnel recovery. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The rescue was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from Air Force and Navy units. The Apache was part of ongoing U.S. efforts to enforce a blockade of Iran and protect commercial shipping, following previous engagements where Apaches and Navy helicopters destroyed Iranian small boats. President Donald Trump confirmed the crew's safety. The event highlights the growing role of uncrewed systems in combat search and rescue operations.
The War ZoneAH-64 Apache Crew Rescued By Drone Boat After Going Down Near Strait Of Hormuz
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crew was rescued by a U.S. Navy uncrewed surface vessel (USV) near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman on June 8, 2026. This marks the first known use of a drone boat for personnel recovery in a military search and rescue operation. The two crew members were rescued within two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The rescue was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from Task Force 59, the Navy's drone force in the Middle East. The Apache was part of ongoing U.S. operations enforcing a blockade of Iran and protecting commercial shipping. President Donald Trump confirmed the crew's safety. The event highlights the growing role of uncrewed systems in combat search and rescue.
The War ZoneUS soldiers rescued by drone after Apache helicopter crash near Oman coast
Two US Army soldiers were rescued by a drone-operated vessel after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman on Monday. The rescue was led by US Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 59 and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, with Air Force assistance. The surface drone used was a US Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel, operated by Task Force 59, which began fielding these drones in late March. The crew was rescued within two hours, and both soldiers are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation, but President Donald Trump claimed Iran downed the helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, stating the US must respond. Task Force 59 is based in Bahrain and focuses on integrating AI and unmanned systems in the Fifth Fleet Area of Operations.
Air Force TimesTwo US Soldiers Rescued After Apache Helicopter Crash Near Oman Coast
Two U.S. Army soldiers were rescued on Monday after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman, according to U.S. Central Command. The crew was rescued by American forces within two hours, at 7:33 p.m. Eastern Time, and both are in stable condition. The helicopter was patrolling regional waters, and the cause of the incident is under investigation. The rescue was led by U.S. Navy assets from Naval Forces Central Command, including Task Force 59, and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, with assistance from the Air Force. Task Force 59 is the Navy's Bahrain-based unit responsible for integrating AI and unmanned systems in the Fifth Fleet Area of Operations, which includes the Strait of Hormuz. ABC News reported that the crew was rescued by an unmanned surface vessel, though this detail has not been confirmed by Central Command. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the region following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian sites.
Navy TimesTwo US Soldiers Rescued After Apache Helicopter Crash Near Oman Coast
Two U.S. Army soldiers were rescued on Monday after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman, according to U.S. Central Command. The crew was rescued by American forces within two hours, at 7:33 p.m. Eastern Time, and both are in stable condition. The helicopter was patrolling regional waters, and the cause of the incident is under investigation. U.S. Navy assets from Naval Forces Central Command, including Task Force 59, and the 82nd Airborne Division led the rescue, with assistance from the Air Force. ABC News reported that the crew was rescued by an unmanned surface vessel, though this detail has not been confirmed by Central Command. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the region, with recent U.S. strikes against Iranian sites and Iranian-flagged tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
Military TimesUS soldiers rescued by drone after Apache helicopter goes down near the coast of Oman
Two U.S. Army soldiers were rescued by a drone-operated vessel on Monday after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman. The rescue was led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 59 and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, with Air Force assistance. The crew was rescued within two hours and both are in stable condition. The helicopter was patrolling regional waters, and the cause of the incident is under investigation. President Donald Trump claimed Iran downed the helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz and said the U.S. must respond. The rescue involved a Corsair unmanned surface vessel, marking a potential first for unmanned vessel rescue.
Military TimesUS soldiers rescued by drone after Apache helicopter crash near Oman coast
Two US Army soldiers were rescued by a drone-operated vessel after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman on Monday. The rescue was led by US Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 59 and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, with Air Force assistance. The surface drone used was a US Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel, operated by Task Force 59, which began fielding such drones in late March. The crew was rescued within two hours, and both soldiers are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation, but President Donald Trump claimed Iran downed the helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a threat of US response. The helicopter was patrolling regional waters at the time.
Air Force Times