2 Fil-Am kabilang sa 9 na nasawi sa US Army helicopter crash

UNITED STATES – Patay ang dalawang Filipino-Americans na naglilingkod sa United States Army kasama ang pito iba pa sa military training accident nitong Miyerkules, Marso 29 sa Kentucky.

Ang dalawang US Army helicopters na idinisenyo para gamitin sa medical evacuation, ay bumagsak kasabay ng isang nighttime training mission sa Trigg County, malapit sa Fort Campbell, at kumitil sa buhay ng siyam na sundalo.

Inilabas na ng US Army ang pangalan ng mga biktima kung saan lahat sila ay miyembro ng 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell – kabilang sina Sgt. Isaac John Gayo, 27, mula Los Angeles, California, at Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, mula Austin, Texas.

Ang dalawa ay isinilang sa Pilipinas at pumasok sa US military noong 2019.

Ang iba pang nasawi ay kinilalang sina:

– Warrant Officer 1 Jeffery Barnes, 33, ng Milton, Florida
– Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza, 36, ng Jackson, Missouri
– Staff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore, 25, ng Morehead City, North Carolina
– Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, 32, ng Cape Coral, Florida
– Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, ng Mountain Brook, Alabama
– Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rusten Smith, 32, ng Rolla, Missouri
– Sgt. David Solinas, Jr., 23, ng Oradell, New Jersey

“Now is the time for grieving and healing. The whole division and this community stand behind the families and friends of our fallen Soldiers,” ayon kay Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general ng 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell.

Ito na ang maituturing na deadliest incident sa loob ng mahigit walong taon.

“This was a training progression. And specifically, they were flying a multi ship formation, two ships under night vision goggles at night,” pahayag ni Brigadier General John Lubas, deputy commander ng division.

“They were able to land in an open field across from a residential area. So thankfully, there were no additional casualties or injuries as a result of the aircraft crash,” dagdag pa niya.

Nakiramay naman si Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sa pagkamatay ng mga sundalo at pinuri naman ang mabilis na pagresponde sa pagbagsak ng helicopter.

“Freedom relies on those who are willing to serve, some of which pay the ultimate price,” sinabi ng gobernador sa isang pahayag.

Nagpaabot na rin ng mensahe si US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at sinabing siya ay nalulungkot sa pangyayaring ito. RNT/JGC

2 Fil-Am kabilang sa 9 na nasawi sa US Army helicopter crash
Source: Filipino Pinoys