Helicopter Went Down Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord on September 17

The US Army has identified the victims of the September 17 Black Hawk helicopter crash as Chief Warrant Officers Andrew Cully and Andrew Kraus, and Sergeants Donavon Scott and Jadalyn Good. The four were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the ‘Night Stalkers’.

"As we mourn their loss, we stand united in honoring their memory and their extraordinary commitment to the mission. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, loved ones, and the entire Night Stalker community during this profoundly difficult time," said Col. Stephen Smith of the 160th SOAR.

The two Chief Warrant Officers onboard were 35-year-old Andrew Cully of Sparta, Missouri, and 39-year-old Andrew Kraus of Sanibel, Florida. Cully was commissioned as an aviation officer in 2013 before being deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and Operation Swift Response. Kraus joined the Army in 2017 and supported multiple training and contingency operations.

Cully and Kraus were joined by 25-year-old Donavon Scott from Tacoma, Washington, who enlisted as a UH-60 helicopter repairer and served on two deployments supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. 23-year-old Jadalyn Good, of Mount Vernon, Washington, worked in helicopter maintenance and was credited with contributing to the success of numerous training missions.

All four soldiers had received multiple decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

The helicopter went down around 9 pm during what the Army Special Operations Command described as a routine training flight west of the base, which is located around 10 miles south of Tacoma and is home to multiple Army aviation units, including the 160th SOAR. Weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with light winds. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment provides aerial support for Army special operations worldwide, but is best known for its nighttime and special mission profiles. The group operates a fleet of MH-60/MH-60 DAP Blackhawks, MH-6 and AH-6 Little Birds, MH-47 Chinooks, and MC-1Q Gray Eagles.

FMI: https://go160thsoar.com