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Soldiers Killed in Thurston County Helicopter Crash
9 months agoUS
Four U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash during a routine training exercise in Thurston County, Washington, on September 17, 2025. The military community mourns the loss of these dedicated service members.
Key Insights
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The crash involved an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a routine training flight in the Capitol Forest near Olympia, Washington.
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The deceased have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Cully, 35, from Sparta, Missouri; Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Kraus, 39, from Sanibel, Florida; Sgt. Donavon Scott, 24, from Tacoma, Washington; and Sgt. Jadalyn Good, 23, from Mount Vernon, Washington.
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The incident is under investigation by U.S. Army officials, who have described it as an "aviation mishap."
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Vice President JD Vance expressed his condolences, noting the loss is especially poignant as one of the victims, Andrew Kraus, was the son of Mission BBQ co-founder Bill Kraus. Mission BBQ is known for honoring service members and first responders.
Why this matters: The loss of these soldiers highlights the risks associated with military training exercises and the sacrifices made by service members and their families. The involvement of a family connected to a patriotic organization like Mission BBQ adds an emotional layer to the tragedy.
In-Depth Analysis
The helicopter crash occurred in the Summit Lake area of Thurston County, prompting a response from multiple agencies, including the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and various fire departments. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command has expressed gratitude for the assistance in the recovery efforts.
Each of the soldiers had a distinguished service record:
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Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Cully:: A UH-60M (Blackhawk) Pilot with multiple deployments, including support for OPERATIONS ATLANTIC RESOLVE and SWIFT RESPONSE.
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Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Kraus:: A former Marine Corps CH-46 maintainer who later became an Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot in Command. Son of Mission BBQ co-founder Bill Kraus.
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Sgt. Donavon Scott:: A UH-60 Helicopter Repairer and MH-60 Crew Chief with service on two support missions to OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE.
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Sgt. Jadalyn Good:: A UH-60 Helicopter Repairer and Crew Chief who supported numerous training missions and a crisis response contingency operation.
The crash is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel, even during training exercises. The investigation will likely focus on mechanical failure, human error, and environmental factors to determine the cause of the mishap.
FAQs
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Q: Where did the helicopter crash occur?
The crash occurred in the Capitol Forest, in the Summit Lake area of Thurston County, Washington.
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Q: What type of helicopter was involved?
The helicopter was an MH-60 Black Hawk.
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Q: What was the purpose of the flight?
It was a routine training flight.
Key Takeaways
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Four U.S. Army soldiers lost their lives in a helicopter crash during a training exercise.
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The victims were stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).
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The crash is under investigation, and the military community is mourning the loss of these dedicated service members.
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