The U.S. Army unit whose helicopter was involved in the overnight collision with a passenger jet near Washington has been placed on an operational pause, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday, meaning helicopters from that unit will not be flying for the time being.

Three U.S. Army soldiers were onboard a BlackHawk helicopter that collided with a passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

The Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines commuter plane near Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia Wednesday was on a “training flight” when it crashed into the Potomac River, according to the military service branch.

Without evidence, Trump blamed air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilots and Democratic policies at federal agencies for Wednesday night's collision.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion that includes the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the deadly crash near Ronald Reagan National Airport has been granted a 48-hour operational pause.

The Army crew involved in a mid-air collision with the jet was "fairly experienced," according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Dan Driscoll, an Army veteran and businessman, told senators that he would serve as the soldiers’ secretary of the Army, “not of the generals or of the bureaucracy,” if he is confirmed as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the largest military service.

Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy, and we will support them through this

A passenger jet collided with a helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.

Increasing pay and benefits alone won't be enough to attract young people to the service, Army Secertary nominee Daniel Driscoll said.

We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” the DC fire chief said.

The service is often responsible for ferrying lawmakers and other V.I.P.’s across the area, and near Reagan National Airport.