NEED TO KNOW
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U.S. Army officials have identified four soldiers who were killed on Sept. 17 when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Washington state
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The deceased include Chief Warrant Officers Andrew Cully, 35, and Andrew Kraus, 39, along with sergeants Donavon Scott, 24, and Jadalyn Good, 23
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The soldiers were conducting routine flight training at the time of the crash, the Army said
U.S. Army officials have identified four soldiers who were killed last week when their helicopter crashed in Washington state during a routine training flight.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Sept. 17, as the group flew an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in a rural area near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to an earlier statement from U.S. Army Special Operations Command shared with PEOPLE.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said rescue efforts had to be delayed because the crash scene was on fire, which caused first responders’ footwear to overheat.
U.S. Army via AP
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Cully.
The service members who died in the crash are Chief Warrant Officers Andrew Cully, 35, from Sparta, Mo., and Andrew Kraus, 39, from Sanibel, Fla., along with sergeants Donavon Scott, 24, from Tacoma, Wash. and Jadalyn Good, 23, from Mount Vernon, Wash, according to a release from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs office.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm the loss of four courageous Night Stalkers from the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), who tragically lost their lives on Sept. 17th during a training mission.,” Col. Stephen Smith, commander, said in a statement included in the release.
Smith remembered the deceased for their “unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence.”
U.S. Army via AP
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Kraus.
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) is nicknamed “the Night Stalkers,” according to the military publication Stars and Stripes, which notes that the unit “trains to insert Navy SEALs, Delta Force, U.S. Army Rangers and other specialty units into combat, often behind enemy lines.”
All four soldiers had previously been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal among other recognitions, Army officials noted.
U.S. Army via AP
Sergeant Donavon Scott.
“Their sacrifice in service to our nation will forever be etched in our hearts and in the legacy of the Night Stalkers,” Smith added. “These heroes were not only elite professionals but also cherished teammates, friends, and family members whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.”
U.S. Army via AP
Sergeant Jadalyn Good.
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Officials are currently investigating the cause of the fatal crash.
“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,” Smith said.
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