U.S. AH-64 goes down near Hormuz; crew rescued by sea drone

Monday, June 8, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter went down Monday near the Strait of Hormuz while patrolling regional waters off Oman. Both crew members were rescued uninjured at about 7:33 p.m. ET — within roughly two hours — in what U.S. Central Command and CBS later described as the first U.S. maritime rescue by an unmanned surface vessel.

President Donald Trump, speaking after attending NBA Finals Game 3 in New York, said the pilots were "fine" and "nobody injured," with a fuller report expected. The New York Times first reported the downing; CENTCOM said Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne led the recovery with Fifth Fleet Task Force 59 support. Cause remained under investigation Monday night as Iran and Israel paused a separate exchange of fire.

What's confirmed

CENTCOM: AH-64 crew rescued ~7:33 p.m. ET June 8 off Oman within ~2 hours; cause under investigation (CENTCOM/CBS/The Aviationist).
Rescue: U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessel / Task Force 59 — first U.S. sea-drone water rescue; crew then helicoptered out (CBS/Reuters/CENTCOM).
Trump Monday night: both pilots safe, nobody injured (CBS/Reuters).
NYT first reported the helicopter down near Hormuz; first AH-64 loss in the Middle East theater since hostilities with Iran began (NYT/The Aviationist).

What's still developing

Investigation findings on whether an Iranian drone struck the Apache and whether any hit was deliberate.
Whether Washington frames Monday's crash as accidental collision or hostile shoot-down.
Any change to Hormuz patrol posture or ceasefire talks after the loss.

Sources

CBS News — U.S. Apache helicopter shot down by Iran, Trump says; crew rescued by sea drone link
The Aviationist — U.S. AH-64 Goes Down Near Strait of Hormuz, Crew Safe link
AP News — Live updates: Trump attending NBA Finals Game 3 (June 8 administration blog) link
BBC News — US and Iran exchange fire after American patrol helicopter downed in Hormuz link