On this photograph launched by the U.S. Military, AH-64D Apache Longbow assault helicopters from the first Assault Battalion, Twenty fifth Aviation Regiment, fly over a mountain vary close to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on June 3, 2019. The U.S. Military says two Military helicopters just like those on this image crashed Thursday, April 27, 2023, close to Healy, Alaska, killing three troopers and injuring a fourth. The helicopters had been getting back from a coaching flight to Fort Wainwright, based mostly close to Fairbanks. (Cameron Roxberry/U.S. Military through AP) AP
The U.S. Military recognized on Saturday the three troopers who had been killed when two helicopters collided in Alaska whereas getting back from a coaching mission.
The helicopters had been headed to Fort Wainwright from a mission within the Donnelly Coaching Space after they crashed at 1:39 p.m. Thursday, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Healy.
The U.S. Military introduced Friday that it has grounded aviation models for coaching after 12 troopers died throughout the final month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky.
“The transfer grounds all Military aviators, besides these collaborating in essential missions, till they full the required coaching,” the Military mentioned in an announcement.
Killed in Thursday’s crash had been Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Robert Eramo, 39, of Oneonta, New York; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle D. McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, 32, of North Logan, Utah.
A fourth soldier was injured and was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and was listed in secure situation. He was not recognized Saturday.
“The battalion is devastated and mourning the lack of three of our greatest,” mentioned Lt. Col. Matthew C. Carlsen, the 1-Twenty fifth AB commander. Their loss can’t be in comparison with the struggling felt by the troopers’ households, he mentioned.
“Your complete staff has come collectively to focus our ideas, prayers, and actions to supply and maintain them with no matter consolation and help they want presently, and I promise that this can proceed lengthy into the long run,” he mentioned.
A Security Investigation Crew from the U.S. Military Fight Readiness Heart, based mostly at Fort Novosel, Alabama, is main the protection investigation, officers mentioned in an e mail.
Division of Protection directions and Military laws prohibit the investigators from releasing any data to the general public regarding the causes, evaluation or inside suggestions, the assertion mentioned.
“The lack of these Troopers is devastating and is being felt by household, buddies and navy communities throughout Alaska,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding common of the eleventh Airborne Division. “The households of Fort Wainwright and 1-25 are as robust a staff as I’ve ever seen. Our hearts are heavy, and our ideas and prayers are with the households, buddies and family members of the fallen.”