US Navy Fifth Fleet copter crashes in Oman

A helicopter, belonging to the Bahrain-based US Navy Fifth Fleet, has reportedly crashed with five crewmembers aboard in the Persian Gulf nation of Oman.

The MH-53E Sea Dragon was involved in heavy lift operations before it crashed 93 kilometers (58 miles) southwest of Muscat on Friday, The Associated Press quoted Lt. Greg Raelson, a spokesman for the fleet, as saying.

He did not elaborate on the fate of the crew, but said that the cause of the incident was under investigation.

The helicopter was part of a mine countermeasure squadron, Raelson added.

An Omani Air Force official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that three of the crew had been found and transferred to a hospital.

The three-engine helicopter is mostly used to carry out long-range minesweeping operations and can perform heavy-lift duties for the Navy.

Washington recently expanded its military presence in the Persian Gulf, sending an unspecified number of F-22 stealth fighters and warships to the region.