A private aviation contractor evacuated US Forces from Niger after a surprise attack on October 4th. At this time it is unclear whether Berry Aviation airlifted injured or deceased service members.
US Africa Command spokesperson Robyn Mack said that US private contractor Berry Aviation was "on alert during the incident and conducted casualty evacuation and transport for US and partner forces."
While these types of aircraft aren't typically armed, sometimes the crews will carry sidearms for supplemental protection. Some confusion surrounding the details of the ambush is raising questions about the level of communication between French and contractor crews.
"In August 2017, US Transportation Command approved a sole source contract to hire Berry Aviation to provide one fixed wing aircraft and one rotary wing aircraft in Niamey for, among other duties, casualty evacuation. This sole source bridge contract runs through the end of this month, October 2017," Mack told CNN.
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