Copter crash kills 14 in Iraq

The aircraft's overall command includes Schofield soldiers

BAGHDAD » A helicopter affiliated with Hawaii's 25th Infantry Division crashed in northern Iraq today, killing all 14 U.S. soldiers aboard, the military said.

The military said initial indications showed the aircraft experienced a mechanical problem and there were no indications of hostile fire, but the cause was still under investigation.

The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was part of a pair on a nighttime operation when the crash occurred. The four crew members and 10 passengers aboard the aircraft perished in the crash, according to a statement.

The 14 soldiers killed were assigned to Task Force Lightning, the military said. It did not release identities pending notification of relatives.

Task Force Lightning is commanded by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commanding general of the 25th "Tropic Lightning" Division, based at Schofield Barracks. The task force, which has 23,000 soldiers, also includes elements of the 2nd Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 82nd Airborne Division.

In Iraq, Task Force Lightning is responsible for an area the size of Pennsylvania known as Multinational Division North.

On Jan. 20, 12 soldiers died on when a Black Hawk crashed in Diyala Province in Iraq.