
A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a passenger jet in Washington on Wednesday was part of a training mission for a highly sensitive military operation known as “continuity of government.” This mission is designed to ensure the U.S. government can continue to function during a national crisis, such as an attack on the country. The tragic crash killed three soldiers, and the collision with the commercial jet resulted in the deaths of 64 people.
The Black Hawk helicopter, part of the 12th Aviation Battalion stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, was on a routine night-flight training mission along a designated path known as Route 4, near the Potomac River. While these types of missions are typically kept under wraps, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Thursday that the helicopter crew was conducting an annual re-training for the continuity of government operations.
These operations are critical for national security, as they are designed to evacuate key government officials to safety if the U.S. comes under attack. On most days, crews like the one involved in the crash are tasked with transporting VIPs around Washington, D.C., which is heavily trafficked by helicopters. However, their responsibilities extend far beyond routine travel, especially during times of national emergency.
The crash comes under scrutiny as the military’s night-time operations near busy airports raise concerns about safety. Jonathan Koziol, the chief of staff of the Army’s Aviation Directorate, acknowledged the sensitive nature of the operations carried out by the 12th Aviation Battalion, noting that the unit’s mission includes supporting the Department of Defense in critical situations, such as evacuating senior leaders during a national crisis.
A History of Critical Missions
The most notable activation of continuity of operations occurred on September 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda terrorists carried out the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. On that day, the 12th Aviation Battalion played a key role in transporting U.S. officials to secure locations, also known as “hide sites.” Bradley Bowman, a former Army aviation officer, recalled flying a Black Hawk to pick up then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz from a site and returning him to the Pentagon.
However, the Pentagon’s helicopter landing pad was destroyed during the attacks, forcing the team to land on the I-395 highway traffic circle, which had been closed off. Wolfowitz later recalled being taken to a “bizarre location prepared to survive nuclear war.” That location was identified as Raven Rock Mountain Complex, or “Site R,” located just miles from Camp David. The facility remains operational today and serves as a backup command center for the U.S. government and the Pentagon leadership.
Ongoing Readiness
Raven Rock, often referred to as the “underground Pentagon,” remains one of the key locations where U.S. leadership can regroup in the event of a catastrophe. According to Garrett Graff, the author of a 2017 book on the U.S. government’s emergency preparedness, the facility is fully operational with a team of approximately 100 personnel always on standby to ensure the survival of the U.S. government.
As the U.S. military continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash, the continuity of government mission remains an essential part of the nation’s preparedness strategy. With operations like those of the 12th Aviation Battalion, the U.S. aims to ensure that the country’s leadership remains protected and capable of functioning, even in the face of the most catastrophic events.
Sources By Agencies