SEATTLE — The U.S. Army recognized the three troopers who had been killed when two helicopters collided in Alaska whereas coming back from a coaching mission.
The helicopters had been headed to Fort Wainwright from a mission within the Donnelly Training Area after they crashed at 1:39 p.m. Thursday, about 50 miles east of Healy.
The U.S. Army introduced Friday that it has grounded aviation items for coaching after 12 troopers died throughout the final month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky.
“The move grounds all Army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training,” the Army mentioned in a press release.
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 steady situation. He was not recognized Saturday.
“The battalion is devastated and mourning the loss of three of our best,” 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.
“The entire team has come together to focus our thoughts, prayers, and actions to provide and sustain them with whatever comfort and support they need at this time, and I promise that this will continue long into the future,” he mentioned.
A Safety Investigation Team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, based mostly at Fort Novosel, Alabama, is main the security investigation, officers mentioned in an electronic mail.
“The loss of these Soldiers is devastating and is being felt by family, friends and military communities across Alaska,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding basic of the eleventh Airborne Division. “The families of Fort Wainwright and 1-25 are as strong a team as I’ve ever seen. Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of the fallen.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”