July 9, 2010 - A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and its crew of four crashed on Wednesday, in the waters near James Island, Washington. One crewmember is at a Seattle hospital being treated for non-life threatening injuries and the remaining three are deceased.

The Coast Guard helicopter, and its 4-person crew, had departing U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Oregon and was en route to Sitka, Alaska. Witnesses’ report the Coast Guard helicopter was flying low and that the tail of the helicopter had clipped the power lines sending it down to the water.

Rear Adm. Gary Blore, commander of the 13th Coast Guard district said it's not unusual for Coast Guard helicopters to fly low. He said the power lines had been about 250 feet above the water level and that those lines are marked on navigational charts.

AMT1 Adam C. Hoke, 40, of Great Falls, Mont. The Air Crewman is single with one child. His awards/accolades include: Aircrew Insignia, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Unit Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, Global War Terror Service Medal, two Commandant's Letter of Commendations, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, two Coast Guard "E" Ribbons, two National Defense Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, five Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, DOT Outstanding Unit Award, Coast Guard Rifle Marksman Ribbon, Coast Guard Rifle Expert Ribbon, Coast Guard Pistol Sharpshooter Ribbon.

AMT2 Brett M. Banks, 33, Rock Spring, N.Y. The Air Crewman is married with two children. His awards/accolades include: three Coast Guard Unit Commendation Award, three Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations, Commandant's Letter of Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon, three Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, Transportation 9-11 Ribbon, Global War Terror Service Medal, Coast Guard Rifle Marksman Ribbon, Coast Guard Pistol Marksman Ribbon.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, co-workers and friends of the survivor and with those that have lost their loved ones to this tragic accident. Team Coast Guard nationwide mourns this loss,” said Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District.

The next step of this response is the salvage and investigation phase. The investigation can include survivor interviews, witness interviews, and review of information from the flight data recorder.