A somber Thursday morning press conference at Gate 7 in Fort Campbell brought more clarity and detail into Wednesday night’s tragic events— when two helicopters crashed in western Trigg County.
All nine soldiers who died were members of the 101st Airborne Division, with family notifications still pending.
Deputy Commander Brigadier General John Lubas said the pair of medical HH60 alternate Blackhawks had five soldiers in one and four in the other and were involved in standard training protocols when the crash occurred.
Personnel included a pilot, a co-pilot and medical trainees — who, in this scenario, were working on flight, and not deliberate medical evacuation drills.
Lubas, nor visiting Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, could comment at this time on the actual cause of the crash, nor any of the conditions surrounding it. Lubas said a Safety Investigation Team of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center from Ft. Rucker, Alabama was imminently bound for Trigg County and would waste no time on an investigation.
Both helicopters contained instrumentation similar to “black boxes,” which are found in civilian aircraft.
Lubas said the notifying next of kin began early Thursday morning and involves local, regional, national, and international family and friends.
At the height of Wednesday night’s first response, more than 150 individuals were located in Trigg County, and Lubas confirmed efforts from local authorities were rapid.
There were other aircraft from Fort Campbell in the area at the time of the crash. Lubas said those units reported back to authorities, as well, and remained hovering near the site for observation.
While Fort Campbell’s losses were great, Lubas said the unit was “lucky” because the crash landed in an open field opposite of a residential area. He said “thankfully” there were no other casualties or injuries.
He also confirmed there were no emergent transports from the crash location.
Utmost safety has always been the focus of military training, and Lubas said this mission was no different.
This continues to be a developing story.
