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SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. military identified three soldiers Saturday. Two helicopters collide and die In Alaska on the way back from a training mission.
The helicopter was en route to Fort Wainwright from a mission at the Donnelly training area when it crashed at 1:39 p.m. Thursday, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Healy.
The US military announced on Friday that it has ground air unit for training Last month, 12 soldiers were killed in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky.
“This move will suspend all Army aviators until they complete the required training, except for those on critical missions,” the Army said in a statement.
Killed in Thursday’s crash was 3rd Class Major Christopher Robert Elamo, 39, of Oneonta, New York. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle D. McKenna, 28, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, age 32, North, Utah He Logan.
A fourth soldier was wounded and taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and listed in stable condition. He was not identified on Saturday.
“The battalion is devastated and mourning the loss of three of its best,” said Lieutenant Colonel Matthew C. Carlsen, 1st-25th AB commander. Their loss, he said, did not compare to the suffering that soldiers’ families felt.
“The entire team is united and focused in our thoughts, prayers and actions to provide and sustain the comfort and support we need at this time, and we promise that this will continue long into the future.
A security investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, based in Fort Novosell, Alabama, is leading the safety investigation, officials said in an email.
Pentagon directives and Army regulations prohibit investigators from releasing information about causes, analyses, or internal recommendations to the public, the statement said.
Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commander of the 11th Airborne Division, said: “Fort Wainwright and his 1-25 family are the strongest team I have ever seen. Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims. , with those I love.”
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