JBLM Warrant Officer Dies In Afghanistan Helicopter Crash

LAKEWOOD, WA - A soldier stationed at Joint Base-Lewis McChord died Friday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Chief Warrant Officer Jacob M. Sims, 36, was originally from Juneau, Alaska. The crash was not the result of enemy fire, according to the Defense Department.

The helicopter Sims was riding in crashed in Logar Province, according to the Department of Defense. Six other U.S. soldiers were injured in the crash. Sims and other U.S. troops were serving as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, which is the new name of the mission in Afghanistan that went into effect in late 2014.

The U.S. has had a presence in Afghanistan since 2001 and over 2,400 Americans have died there.

Sims was assigned to 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Gov. Jay Inslee ordered flags at half staff Monday for Sims.

File photo: Afghan National Amy soldiers watch during a military exercise in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017.

Image via Massoud Hossaini/Associated Press