One of the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday has been identified as a former White House aide who served during the Biden administration.
The U.S. Army identified the soldier as Captain Rebecca Lobach, a 28-year-old aviation officer who had been in service since July 2019.
Lobach’s distinguished military career included receiving the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. She initially enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard while attending college in December 2018, according to CBS News.
Before her assignment as an aviation officer, Lobach briefly worked as a White House social aide under President Joe Biden. Just last month, she was seen escorting renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren through the White House as he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The two other soldiers who lost their lives in the crash have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, 39, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, who served as the crew chief. As of now, authorities have recovered two of the three bodies from the wreckage, though recovery efforts are still ongoing, per CBS News.
Deadly Midair Collision
The catastrophic accident occurred when the Black Hawk, which had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia, was on a training mission and entered the flight path of a commercial American Airlines jet approaching Reagan National Airport.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Black Hawk was engaged in routine night-flight re-training, a standard procedure for government continuity missions.
The collision resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft, including the three soldiers and the 64 passengers and crew on the American Airlines flight.
Investigators are now working to determine why the helicopter was flying outside its designated route and at a higher altitude than approved.
According to preliminary reports, the Black Hawk was meant to fly at a maximum altitude of 200 feet along Route 4, a designated low-flying path on the east side of the Potomac River meant to keep helicopters safely below commercial air traffic.
However, at the time of the crash, the helicopter was reportedly flying at over 300 feet and was at least half a mile off its designated course.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation into the tragedy.
Officials are currently working to retrieve the helicopter’s black box, which could provide crucial data about the flight’s final moments.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for the victims. The families of the fallen soldiers, along with members of the military and the White House, have expressed their grief over the loss of Captain Lobach, Chief Warrant Officer Eaves, and Staff Sgt. O’Hara.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.