A video circulating on Facebook claims that a Bangladeshi aircraft crashed at Chattogram airport after being hit by a U.S. military helicopter. Some versions of the same video further assert that it shows a fire incident involving an American military aircraft at Cox’s Bazar airport. However, a FactWatch investigation confirms that the footage being shared in support of these claims actually shows a fire safety drill at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport involving a dummy aircraft. This drill took place on 26 February this year.

To verify the authenticity of the claim, a reverse image search identified the identical footage published on the YouTube channel of Jamuna TV. The video was uploaded on 26 February, and it matches the one being circulated with the false claim of a U.S. military helicopter colliding with a Bangladeshi aircraft at Chattogram airport.

According to information available on Jamuna TV’s YouTube channel, a fire safety drill was conducted at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport on 26 February. As part of the drill, a dummy aircraft was intentionally set on fire for training purposes.

Several national media outlets reported on the drill at the time with corresponding video coverage.

It is worth noting that a joint military exercise titled “Operation Pacific Angel 25-3” was held in Chattogram, involving the Bangladesh Air Force and the United States Pacific Air Forces. The seven-day exercise included participation from a Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft, an MI-17 helicopter, two C-130J transport aircraft from the Pacific Air Forces, 150 personnel from the Bangladesh Air Force, and 92 personnel from the United States Pacific Air Forces. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise concluded on Thursday, 18 September.

No credible reports from media or reliable sources have confirmed any incident of a Bangladeshi aircraft being involved in a crash due to a U.S. military helicopter during the course of this exercise at Chattogram airport. Therefore, FactWatch concludes that the circulating claims are false.

Original News Source: https://www.fact-watch.org/operation-pacific-angel-25-3-bangladesh-usa-combined-drill/