Military helicopter crashes near base in Washington state, official says

ByJessica Gorman and Tristan MaglunogABCNews logo
Thursday, September 18, 2025
ABC7 Eyewitness News

A military helicopter crashed late Wednesday in a rural area near Joint Base LewisMcChord in Washington state, a base spokesperson said.

"This remains a developing situation, and no additional details are available at this time," Scot Keith, a JBLM garrison public affairs officer, told ABC News.

The main flag pole in front of the U.S. Army I Corps headquarters on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, Wash., hangs at half-staff, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018.
The main flag pole in front of the U.S. Army I Corps headquarters on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, Wash., hangs at half-staff, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018.
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File

The helicopter crashed at about 9 p.m. local time, Keith said.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office earlier said deputies were responding after a possible helicopter crash near Joint Base LewisMcChord in Washington state.

Initial reports said the crash may have occurred near Summit Lake, the sheriff's office said.

"We have been advised that the military lost contact with a helicopter in the area, and we are working closely with JBLM to deploy any resources needed to assist," the office said in a social media post.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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