Posted on 06/04/2006 9:41:03 AM PDT by leadpenny
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Four Army special operations soldiers killed when their helicopter crashed in a rural Georgia field during a training flight were experienced and combat-tested aviators.
They shared 31 years of combined service in the Army, as well as 22 deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the two pilots on board, Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Wright, had earned two Bronze Stars and an Air Medal for Valor.
The Army released the soldiers’ identities Saturday, two days after they died when their MH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed and broke apart after clipping a wire on a television transmission tower.
The soldiers were identified as Sgt. Christopher M. Erberich, 25, of Oceanside, Calif.; Sgt. Michael D. Hall, 30, of Little Rock, Ark.; Sgt. Rhonald E. Meeks, 28, of Weatherford, Texas; and Wright, 41, of Indiana.
The Army did not released the name of a fifth soldier, another pilot, who survived the crash with minimal injuries. He has returned home to his family, said Kim Laudano, an Army spokeswoman.
A Doerun resident, Maurice Barfield, who reached the scene before emergency personnel Thursday, told The Observer that day that the wounded soldier identified himself as Jim Schrader.
The crew belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment — also known as the Night Stalkers — based at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah.
The helicopter crashed in rural Colquitt County, about 170 miles west of the Army post, while in route to Fort Rucker, Ala.
Lt. Col. Manfred L. Little, the battalion commander, said his unit was “deeply saddened” by the deaths. He described the job of the Night Stalkers, who fly special forces commandos behind enemy lines under cover of night, as “inherently dangerous.”
“We take all safety precautions necessary to protect our crew, whether in training or combat,” Little said in a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, in the aviation profession, there is no level of planning, training, type of equipment or amount of resources that can completely prevent such types of tragic accidents from occurring.”
Wright, the pilot, had served in the Army since 1989 and previously had been an Air Force air traffic controller and military policeman. He had deployed four times to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq.
“He loved what he was doing, he knew the risks, and he was proud to be a soldier fighting so others wouldn’t have to,” Wright’s wife, Judy Wright, and other family members said in a statement provided by the Army.
Erberich, a helicopter repairman and flight engineer, served seven combat deployments — six in Iraq and one in Afghanistan — in his five years with the Army.
Hall, an aircraft structural repairman, enlisted in the Army in 2000 and had deployed twice to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan.
“We take comfort in knowing Michael was doing what he loved and believed in, and we appreciate the sacrifice he was willing to make to keep us safe,” Hall’s mother, Lynda Hall, and other family members said in a statement.
Meeks served three combat deployments to Afghanistan since enlisting in 2002. He had been a helicopter repairman and flight engineer. His family described him as “smart, gifted and innovative.”
“Even in the face of danger, he showed courage and bravery as well as a keen sense of humor,” said a statement by Meeks’ wife, Alissa, and other family members.
Hunter Army Airfield planned a memorial service Tuesday for the soldiers’ families, friends and fellow service members.
The Army is still investigating the cause of the crash.
FYI
Prayers for them and their families.
At least two of the crewman each had six and seven tours in Iraq and A-Stan. Although, flying anywhere is inherently dangerous, I can't help but think their loved ones somewhat let their emotional guard down when their soldiers are back in the world.
Prayers for all.
Pilots wives and families are always aware of the danger, no matter where the guys are flying. We send our love to them all.
I spent two tours in Nam flying choppers and I generally know how families react when loved ones come home.
It sounds like they were almost in a constant state of deployment. They sure were busy! It's a painful reminder that death can happen anywhere and anytime. It's also ironic that they spend years in warzones, only to die in the "peaceful" USA.
It boggles my mind when I think about a 25-year-old already having been on seven combat deployments. Most at that age are still using both hands trying to find their own a$$.
Yes, it's only natural. But this is another sad lesson showing how dangerous military work really is, even in peacetime. God bless them and their families.
My heart and prayers go to all involved. God Bless
22 years experience with military aviation. I understand the families home and deployed.
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