>. . The helicopter was on a routine annual night training flight along a designated corridor for Continuity of Government missions, which ensure essential government functions persist during crises, according to WUSA9. >The U.S. Army has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports indicate that the Black Hawk was on a training flight with a crew of three soldiers. >Fox News obtained exclusive information regarding the crew members aboard the Army helicopter at the time of the accident. The instructor pilot commanding the Black Hawk boasted 1,000 flying hours. >Meanwhile, his co-pilot was a woman with 500 flying hours, considered to be a standard level of experience in aviation circles. >The revelation that the co-pilot was a woman has reignited ongoing debates about gender roles within military operations. >Fox News reported: >>The instructor pilot in charge who was flying the Black Hawk had 1,000 flying hours – which is considered “very experienced,” Fox News has learned. Most flights are on average two hours in length. >>The co-pilot had 500 flying hours, which is considered a “normal” amount of experience. Fox News is told the co-pilot was a woman. Both the instructor pilot in charge and the co-pilot were being evaluated during the flight, and were familiar with the area and route, Fox News is told. >>Military and other government helicopters fly this route almost daily, according to a senior Army pilot and warrant officer. >>According to a senior U.S. defense official, one set of remains from the soldiers on the Black Hawk were recovered Thursday afternoon. >. . [Source](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/01/co-pilot-blackhawk-helicopter-involved-midair-collision-was/)