The Black Hawk belonged to an aviation brigade responsible for ferrying VIPs and ensuring continuity of government operations.

An American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter outside Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. Wednesday night. A D.C. fire official said Thursday that “we don't think there are any survivors from this accident" and "we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.

A former Army helicopter pilot and Connecticut native offered his perspectives on the unique challenges faced by military aviators following a deadly crash involving an American Airlines flight and Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington,