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Officials ID soldiers killed in Black Hawk crash in Kentucky

  • Army officials identified the nine soldiers killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash
  • Caleb Gore, one of the soldiers killed, was a father-to-be.
  • Victim Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell was supposed to get married in two weeks

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(NewsNation) — Army officials on Friday identified the nine soldiers killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash late Wednesday night.

The soldiers were identified as: Warrant Officer 1 Jeffery Barnes; Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza; Sgt. Isaacjohn Gayo; Staff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore; Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy; Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rusten Smith; and Sgt. David Solinas Jr.

A military news release said the service members came from Florida, Texas, Missouri, California, North Carolina, Alabama and New Jersey.

They were all members of the 101st Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The nine service members died after two Black Hawk helicopters collided over a field in the southwestern part of the state during a routine training mission.

An Army air safety team arrived overnight to examine the crash scene, roughly 40 miles away from the base. The team is investigating what could have caused the two helicopters to collide during what the Army has called a “routine training exercise.”

One of the soldiers killed has been identified as Caleb Gore. His father, Tim Gore, of Wayne County, North Carolina, confirmed his son was a victim and told reporters the soldier was a father-to-be.

A friend of the Gore family spoke to the NewsNation affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“This young man was so full of life, vibrant, had such a presence about him … now not here anymore. The loss is a great loss, a big hole in their life,” Travis Moore said.

Garrett Mitchell, the brother of Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, told NewsNation the combat medic was supposed to get married in two weeks. Now their family is planning a funeral.

“He’s the kind of person who walked in a room and he made an impact. He left a major impact on everybody he met,” his brother said.

The Black Hawk collision happened during a nighttime training exercise just north of the Tennessee state line. Army officials said the soldiers were using night vision goggles during the mission and flying in formation.

A witness likened the crash to fireworks going off in the sky.

The weather was good, with no rain and low winds, leaving many questions about what could have led to the crash.

“This is a time of great sadness for the 101st Airborne Division. The loss of these Soldiers will reverberate through our formations for years to come,” said Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. “Now is the time for grieving and healing. The whole division and this community stand behind the families and friends of our fallen Soldiers.”

Military

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