A civilian-contracted aircraft crashed at a remote U.S. Air Force radar installation in Alaska on Thursday, killing all eight people on board, the military confirmed.
The crash occurred shortly after midday local time (20:00 GMT) near Cape Newenham, home to a long-range radar site airport, according to U.S. Air Force Alaskan Command.
The identities of the two pilots and six passengers have not been released, nor has the specific purpose of their flight, though Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, described them as “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment.”
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” Davis said in a statement.
“Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time,” he added.
Davis expressed profound gratitude for the “swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals.”
The aircraft departed from Anchorage International Airport en route to Cape Newenham, roughly 450 miles (725 km) to the west.
Recovery teams who reached the site confirmed there were no survivors. An investigation is underway, and the names of the deceased will be withheld until next of kin are notified.
Clint Johnson, chief of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region, confirmed the passenger count to CBS News, the BBC’s U.S. partner.
The Cape Newenham facility, located on Alaska’s southwestern coast, is a component of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote installations monitoring aircraft entering or operating within Alaskan airspace.