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Tropic Lightning -- 15 February 2001
 Photo(s) by SGT W. Wayne Marlow The two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters went down in the Kahuku Training Area Monday. The cause of the accident is under investigation.  The two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters went down in the Kahuku Training Area Monday. The cause of the accident is under investigation. | Division mourns loss of soldiers By 25th ID (L) PAO Flags fly at half-staff outside the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army, Hawaii headquarters building at Schofield Barracks, honoring the six Soldiers who were killed Monday in a helicopter accident. Eleven other Soldiers were injured during the training incident in the Kahuku Military Training Area in the northern part of Oahu. The accident happened at 7:40 p.m. during the division’s Lightning Thrust Warrior exercise, which involves nearly 4,000 Soldiers. Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 25th ID (L) Aviation Brigade were involved in the accident. The training was part of an infantry brigade combat team field exercise. The dead are: - Maj. Robert L. Olson, a native of International Falls, Minn. He was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, and was assigned as the battalion operations officer. - Chief Warrant Officer 4 George P. Perry, of California who was assigned to HHC, 2nd Bn., 25th Aviation Regiment, as a pilot and safety officer. - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory I. Montgomery, a Hesperia, Calif. native, was assigned to Co. A, 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt., as a pilot. - Sgt. Thomas E. Barber, a UH-60 crewmember, assigned to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt., was a native of Champlin, Minn. - Spc. Bob D. MacDonald, an Alta Loma, Calif. native, was assigned to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt., as a UH-60 crew member. - Spc. Rafael Olvera-Rodriguez, an El Paso, Texas native, was assigned to HHS Btry., 2nd Bn., 11th FA Rgt., as a field artillery crewman. The injured are: - Pfc. Denell L. Simmons, a Lampasas, Texas native, who is an infantryman assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Infantry Rgt., was treated and released from Tripler Army Medical Center. - Pfc. Michael A. Welch, a Kenner, La. native, who is a mortarman with Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., is listed in stable condition at Tripler Army Medical Center. - Spc. Benjamin M. Brown III, a native of Franklinton, N.C., a mortarman assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., is listed in stable condition at Tripler Army Medical Center. - Pvt. Sergio Rodriguez-Trujillo, a native of Cuba, a mortarman assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., is listed in stable condition at Tripler Army Medical Center. He was transferred from Queens Medical Center Monday. - Spc. Derrick K. Burke, a native of Ucon, Idaho, is a UH-60 crewmember assigned to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt., was treated and released. - Sgt. Matthew S. Eshelman, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is an infantryman in 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. He was treated and released. - Sgt. Justin P. Kragenbrink, a native of Colorado, is a UH-60 crewmember assigned to 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt. He is listed in stable condition at the Tripler Army Medical Center. - Sgt. Juan C. Lopez-Rios, a native of Lompoc, Calif., is a mortarman in Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. He was treated and released from Tripler Army Medical Center. - Sgt. 1st Class Leslie E. Frye II, a native of Jeffersonville, Ind., who is assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., as an infantryman was treated and released. - Chief Warrant Officer 3 Thomas M. Foose, a native of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., is a pilot assigned to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt. He was treated and released. - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul C. King, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, is a pilot assigned to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt. He was treated and released. Soldiers who were injured in the accident, and their families, are receiving support from their respective commands, while the division staff and their respective units assist the families of deceased Soldiers. "Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to the families of these Soldiers at this moment of grief and sorrow," said Maj. Gen. James M. Dubik, 25th ID (L) and USARHAW commander. "At this time, our focus is on taking care of the families, and ensuring the injured Soldiers receive the best possible medical attention." The Army is providing families with legal services, information on the benefits available and other financial entitlements. Members of the 25th ID (L) community have been focused throughout the week caring for families and Soldiers, helping them cope with the tragedy. The Division Chaplain team has been providing religious support to include one-on-one and family counseling. Mental health providers have also been assisting units, families and individuals through their grieving process. Army Community Services has helped by coordinating the local and civilian services available to include Army Emergency Relief, which provides interest-free loans to those families in need. The Army provided a casualty assistance officer for each family to work closely with the family on all details throughout the entire process. Assistance officers will help by assisting with transportation, housing and funeral arrangements. "Soldiers and families are our Army’s most important asset," Dubik said. "We will come together in this time of great sorrow and work to take care of those who have served so bravely." Members of the Army Safety Center, Fort Rucker, Ala. arrived Tuesday, and the cause of the accident is under investigation. Memorial services for Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt., are scheduled for tomorrow at 9 a.m., and services for 2nd Bn., 11th FA Rgt. Soldiers will be held at 11:30 a.m. Both services are closed to the public. Families and service members can use the Army Community Service Hotline for more information at 1-800-779-2543. |
