Two days after the devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, the Army released an official statement confirming details of the tragic event.

According to the statement, the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed “while performing a training mission near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”

Mission Linked to White House Evacuation Drill

Initial speculation suggested the Black Hawk’s mission was part of a classified evacuation drill for the White House. Eventually, defense sources confirmed to CBS News that the helicopter was retracing the president’s emergency evacuation route—an essential component of the government’s Continuity of Government (COG) plan.

The COG plan, as outlined on the U.S. government’s website, ensures that the government can continue operating in the event of a major disaster or attack on Washington, D.C. A key part of this strategy involves safeguarding key personnel and infrastructure, which includes planning for rapid evacuations from the capital.

Identities of the Victims

The U.S. Army has identified three military personnel involved in the crash: