Carmel Native One Of Seven Airmen Killed In Iraq Helicopter Crash

CARMEL, IN -- The remains of seven airmen aboard an American military helicopter that crashed in Iraq Thursday were returned to the U.S. Monday morning, including a Carmel native, WRTV reports. According to the report, Vice President and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence attended the ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for Carmel native Capt. Christopher "Tripp" Zanetis and Master Sgt. Christoper Raguso. WRTV says 37-year-old Zanetis, a Carmel High School graduate, was one of the seven airmen killed when their helicopter went down after hitting a power line in Iraq.

Zanetis was a fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Investigation and was a member of the New York City Fire Department, according to FDNY.

WRTV adds that Zanetis was also a weekend volunteer for the Carmel Fire Department. He leaves behind his parents and two sisters, Angie and Britt, and wasn't married.

RELATED: 106th Air National Guard Members Killed In Iraq Helicopter Crash

ABC News says the crash took place near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province and is believed to be the first fatal helicopter crash in Iraq since the U.S. began fighting ISIS there in 2014.

The crash does not appear to be a result of enemy activity, officials say.

The incident remains under investigation.

More: WRTV, abcnews.com

Image via Patch