Latest news with #101stCombatAviationBrigade
UPI
13 hours ago
- UPI
Pentagon identifies soldier who died in Iraq as Michigan resident
June 19 (UPI) -- The Pentagon has identified the soldier who died earlier this week in a non-combat-related incident while serving in Iraq as a Michigan resident. In a statement Wednesday, the Department of Defense identified the soldier as Staff Sgt. Saul Fabian Gonzalez, 26, of Pullman, Mich. Gonzalez died Tuesday in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, where he was serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group in areas of Iraq and Syria. Specifics of the non-combat-related incident were not released, but the Pentagon said it was under investigation. Gonzalez was assigned to D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. "It is with heavy hearts, we share the news of the loss of SSG Saul F. Gonzalez. While his passing was not combat-related, it is felt by all who knew him," the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade said in a statement on Facebook. "We honor his service and reflect upon the positive impact he had as an outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer, Technical Inspector and friend. Please keep his family and fellow Troopers in your thoughts and prayers." About 2,500 U.S. soldiers are in Iraq as part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Soldier Killed in 'Horrific' Helicopter Training Accident Identified
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright, 40, was killed in an Army training exercise at Fort Campbell on June 11 An Army pilot who was also training sustained minor injuries and was released from the hospital later that night The incident remains under investigationA helicopter training incident at Fort Campbell has left one soldier dead and another injured, according to the U.S. Army. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright, 40, died as a result of wounds from an AH-64 Apache helicopter training accident on June 11, the 101st Airborne Division confirmed in a Facebook post on Friday, June 13. The other soldier, identified only as a pilot, sustained minor injuries. He was immediately evacuated to the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Tennessee and was later released the night of the incident. Fort Campbell is a U.S. Army installation that extends across the Kentucky–Tennessee border. "The entire 101st Combat Aviation Brigade grieves the loss of CW2 Dustin Wright," said Col. Tyler Partridge, commander, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Div. "A former Infantryman, Dustin cherished every opportunity to be outside and support ground troops. He did so with strength and honor. We will forever cherish the memories of his service, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him," Partridge added. 'No matter how it happens, when we lose someone who has committed to serving our country, I know it hurts that family but it should hurt us all,' Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday, June 12, the Associated Press reported. Kentucky State Sen. Craig Richardson added, 'This tragedy is a solemn reminder that the dangers our military faces are not limited to distant battlefields. The call to serve brings risks at home, in training, preparation, and quiet readiness.' Wright joined the Army in 2010 and began his career at Fort Campbell in May 2022. His awards and decorations include the Air Medal with "C" Device, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Army Aviator Badge, the Army Parachutist Badge, and the Army Pathfinder Badge. The 101st Airborne Division is the only air assault division of the U.S. Army, according to its website. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. They earned the nickname 'Screaming Eagles' by demonstrating the highest standards of military professionalism since their activation at one minute after midnight, Aug. 16, 1942. In 2023, a helicopter training left nine soldiers of the 101st Airborne dead when two HH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed into one, according to The New York Times. The cause of last week's accident is under investigation. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Army pilot killed in helicopter training accident in Kentucky identified
A 40-year-old Army pilot was killed, and a second pilot was injured, in a helicopter training accident Wednesday evening at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the Army post said. The soldier killed was identified Friday by the 101st Airborne Division as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright. In a post to social media earlier Friday, the 101st Airborne Division said the incident involving an AH-64 Apache helicopter had occurred in "preparation for the Army's 250th birthday," the festival and parade being held in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the Army's 250th anniversary — that also coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday. However, in a follow-up post, the division said it wanted to "clarify" that the incident "occurred during a routine attack aviation training mission inside the Fort Campbell training area. The crew was not in direct support of Week of the Eagles or Army Birthday." A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division also told CBS News by phone Friday that the training exercise had "100% nothing to do with the birthday parade in D.C." and was simply "happening while the Army prepares for the 250th birthday date." Week of the Eagles is an annual event that honors the heritage of the 101st Airborne Division. The injured pilot was treated and released from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital for minor injuries, officials said. No further details were provided. The incident is under investigation. Wright joined the Army in 2010 and had served at Fort Campbell since May 2022. He was highly-decorated, having been awarded the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge, among others, his division said. "The entire 101st Combat Aviation Brigade grieves the loss of CW2 Dustin Wright," Col. Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, said in a statement Friday. "A former Infantryman, Dustin cherished every opportunity to be outside and support ground troops. He did so with strength and honor. We will forever cherish the memories of his service, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him." Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was among those offering condolences to the family of the soldier who died. "No matter how it happens, when we lose someone who has committed to serving our country, I know it hurts that family but it should hurt us all," the Democratic governor said Thursday. Kentucky state Sen. Craig Richardson, whose western Kentucky district includes the Fort Campbell area, said the soldier's death was heartbreaking. "This tragedy is a solemn reminder that the dangers our military faces are not limited to distant battlefields," the Republican lawmaker said. "The call to serve brings risks at home, in training, preparation, and quiet readiness." The sprawling Fort Campbell post straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee line. Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
