Military identifies 3 troopers killed in Alaska helicopter crash

SEATTLE — 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 once 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 taking part in vital 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 cannot be in comparison with the struggling felt by the troopers’ households, he mentioned.

“All the crew has come collectively to focus our ideas, prayers, and actions to supply and maintain them with no matter consolation and help they want right now, and I promise that this may proceed lengthy into the long run,” he mentioned.

A Security Investigation Workforce from the U.S. Military Fight Readiness Heart, based mostly at Fort Novosel, Alabama, is main the security 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 inner suggestions, the assertion mentioned.

“The lack of these Troopers is devastating and is being felt by household, buddies and army communities throughout Alaska,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding normal of the eleventh Airborne Division. “The households of Fort Wainwright and 1-25 are as robust a crew 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.”