The crew of the Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the deadly collision with a jetliner had thousands of hours of flight experience.

Military spokesman Ron McLendon II said the Army is joining an investigation into the crash headed by the National Transportation Security Board.

Officials said the crew on the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a regional jet was aware of the route and rules in the airspace. NBC News' Courtney Kube reports on the helicopter, its mission and those who were on it.