Names of soldiers killed in Black Hawk helicopter crash released
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – The U.S. Army’s Fort Campbell says the ages of those who died in Wednesday’s helicopter crash ranged from 23 to 36.
Nine soldiers died as a result of a crash between two Black Hawk helicopters near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The names of those that died include the following:
- Cpl. Marie Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, of Austin, Texas
- Sgt. David Solinas Jr., 23, of Oradell, New Jersey
- Staff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore, 25, of Morehead City, North Carolina
- Sgt. Isaac John Gayo, 27, of Los Angeles, California
- Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Rock, Alabama
- Warrant officer 1 Aaron Healy, 32, of Cape Coral, Florida
- Chief warrant officer 2 Rusten Smith, 32, of Rolla, Missouri
- Warrant officer 1 Jeffery Barnes, 33, of Milton, Florida
- Chief warrant officer 2 Zachary Esparza, 36, of Jackson, Missouri
“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.”
An investigation into the accident is currently being conducted by an Army aviation safety team.
