JBLM soldier shoots helicopter during training exercise

TACOMA – Authorities said a soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord who was participating in a large training exercise in California shot an Army Apache helicopter with live rounds.

The News Tribune reported the infantryman’s bullets punctured the JBLM-based helicopter four times Saturday, prompting the exercise at the National Training Center to be halted.

Training center spokesman Ken Drylie said no one was injured and it’s unclear why the soldier had live rounds in his rifle.

Soldiers are given blanks to use in mock battles when they arrive at the center.

Drylie said the U.S. Army conducted a preliminary investigation and determined the shooting was an accident.

The force at the training center is JBLM’s 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. It’s a Stryker brigade being tested to see whether it’s ready for deployments.