Promotion ceremony to be held for three soldiers killed in Kentucky helicopter crash
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WZTV) — After nine soldiers died in an Army helicopter crash in southern Kentucky, three of the deceased soldiers have been posthumously promoted.
The following soldiers have been promoted to the next higher grade, and will receive an honorary promotion ceremony:
- Corporal Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos promoted to Sergeant
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3
- Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2
An honorary promotion ceremony will take place with the families at a later time.
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101st Airborne Division announced the news as part of an update to the deadly crash where crewmembers were flying two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during a routine mission when the accident took place.
The remains of all the soldiers killed in the crash have been transferred to Dover Air Force Base (AFB), Delaware.
The fallen soldiers were escorted and honored by numerous police escorts starting from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Dover AFB. Dover AFB base is home to the Joint Service Mortuary Affairs Office.
An aviation safety team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USARCRC) from Fort Rucker, Alabama retrieved the flight data recorders from the two helicopters involved in a training accident on March 29.
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The recorders were sent back to Fort Rucker for further analysis. This accident investigation is still ongoing.
“We cannot provide a timeline as to when the investigation will be completed,” said Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “The duration of the investigation is determined by the thorough analysis of all factors.”
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell and Blanchfeild Army Community Hospital are supplying a large amount of health services to the soldiers and families affected by the tragedy.
Chaplains, the Family Advocacy Program, Military Family Life Consultants, behavioral health professionals, and multiple crisis lines are available for soldiers, family members, and the Fort Campbell community.
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