MARCH 31, 2023 – Yesterday evening, nine soldiers with the Army’s 101st Combat Aviation Brigade were killed as a result of a training accident involving two Black Hawk helicopters.
The soldiers and helicopters were involved in a planned training exercise near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Now, an aviation safety team from Fort Rucker, Alabama — home of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence — has been deployed to investigate, Ryder said.
“On behalf of Secretary Austin and the Department of Defense, I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the nine U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division who sadly lost their lives last night when two Black Hawk helicopters crashed outside of Fort Campbell, Kentucky,” Ryder said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, units and all those affected by this tragedy.”
A statement from Fort Campbell says the two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, part of the 101st Airborne Division, crashed around 10 p.m. Wednesday in Trigg County, Kentucky. The 101st Airborne confirmed the crash about 30 mile (48 kilometers) northwest of Fort Campbell. The crash is under investigation.
“Right now our focus is on the Soldiers and their families who were involved,” the statement added.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had said earlier that fatalities were expected, adding that police and emergency officials were responding.
“The crash occurred in a field, some wooded area,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Sarah Burgess said at a news briefing. “At this time, there are no reports of residence damage.”
Fort Campbell is located near the Tennessee border, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northwest of Nashville, and the crash occurred in the Trigg County, Kentucky, community of Cadiz.
Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
Last night, we lost nine servicemembers in an accident during a routine training mission in Kentucky. My heart goes out to the families of these servicemembers and to the members of the 101st Airborne Division who bravely and proudly serve our country each and every day. I’m saddened by this tragic loss, and I am working with Army leadership to make sure our troops and their families receive the care that they need in the wake of this accident.
By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News