TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Army has released the names of four soldiers killed Wednesday when the military helicopter they were on crashed near a base in Washington state.
The victims are chief warrant officers Andrew Cully and Andrew Kraus, and sergeants Donavon Scott and Jadalyn Good.
Cully, 35, was from Sparta, Missouri; Kraus, 39, was from Sanibel, Florida; Scott, 25, was from Tacoma, Washington; and Good, 23, was from Mount Vernon, Washington.
The helicopter was engaged in a routine flight training west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which is approximately 10 miles south of Tacoma.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, with favorable weather conditions reported at the time, according to the National Weather Service.
Col. Stephen Smith remarked that the soldiers “embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations.”
They were members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known for their complex nighttime missions. This regiment is vital for organizing and deploying Army special operations aviation forces around the globe.
This incident represents the second crash involving this elite unit in a short span of time, underscoring the high risks associated with military aviation operations.
