Two Florida Airmen killed in Iraq helicopter crash

Two Patrick AFB airmen among those killed in Iraq helicopter crash
Florida Today
Eric Rogers
March 17, 2018

“No words can heal the pain from the loss of these true American heroes,” said Col. Kurt Matthews, commander of the 920th Rescue Wing, in a statement. “You can be proud knowing that MSgt. Posch and SSgt. Enis gave their last full measure performing their mission and serving our most noble Pararescue creed: ‘These things we do, that others may live.'"

Two airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing out of Patrick Air Force Base were among the seven crew members killed in a helicopter crash in western Iraq on Thursday.

Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 36, of Indialantic,

Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, chief of Air Force Reserve, presented Master Sgt. William Posch, 308th Rescue Squadron, with her commander's coin for her appreciation of his diligence and dedication over the last month in response to the back-to-back hurricanes. Posch and his teammates rescued 235 people, 21 dogs and five cats during Hurricane Harvey in Texas before returning home to Florida a few days later to evacuate their families and wing assets in preparation for Hurricane Irma. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice

and Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, 31, of Tallahassee

Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, 31, was among the seven Airmen killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq, March 15, 2018. He was assigned to the 308th Rescue Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Enis was a Tallahassee, Florida, resident who joined the unit in 2010 and served for 8 years. Courtesy/Air Force

Both were assigned to the 308th Rescue Squadron, Air Force Reserve, based out of Patrick.
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Two Fort Carson Soldiers killed in helicopter crash

Two Fort Carson soldiers killed in helicopter crash
KKTV 11 News
Spencer Wilson
January 20, 2018

FORT IRWIN, CA (KKTV) Fort Carson has confirmed that an Army AH64 Apache helicopter crashed about 1 a.m. Saturday during pre-deployment training operations at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

Two 4th Infantry Division Soldiers were on board at the time of the accident. They died in the crash. Names and service information for those soldiers are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
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NATO Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan, 1 Dead 6 Injured

US servicemember killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan

Stars and Stripes

Phillip Walter Wellman

October 28, 2017

KABUL, Afghanistan — A U.S. servicemember died Friday as a result of injuries sustained during a helicopter crash in Logar province, Resolute Support said Saturday.

A NATO helicopter transporting troops for a night raid in Afghanistan’s eastern Logar province hit a tree, Afghan officials said on Saturday. Six other U.S. crew members were injured and are all receiving medical treatment, RS said.

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Remains of Nine Marines Recovered in Hawaii

Hawaii crash recovery efforts wrap up with 3 Marines still missing
Stars and Stripes
By Aaron Kidd
April 15, 2016

Mourners pause at crosses representing the 12 Marines who died in helicopter crashes Jan. 14, 2016, in Hawai. The crosses were adorned with flight gear, boots and Hawiian leis during a memorial Jan. 22, 2016, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Remains of nine of the Marines have been recovered. WYATT OLSON/STARS AND STRIPES

The remains of nine of 12 Marines killed when a pair of CH-53E helicopters crashed during routine training earlier this year in Hawaii have been recovered and identified, the Marine Corps said Thursday.

Efforts recently wrapped up to find remains and salvage wreckage after the Jan. 14 crash about two miles offshore of Waimea Bay in Oahu, a Marine Corps statement said. Initial around-the-clock searches yielded no survivors, and the Marines — assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Airlift Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii — were officially declared dead about a week later.

The remains of Sgt. Dillon Semolina, Sgt. Adam Schoeller and Cpl. Christopher Orlando were not recovered, the statement said.
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UPDATE

Parents blame Marine Corps for son's death in Super Stallion crash

• The Associated Press
• Apr 14, 2016

The parents of one of 12 Marines killed after two helicopters crashed during training exercises in Hawaii say the aircraft he was in shouldn't have been flying. They also dismissed the search efforts for the Marines as "an embarrassment."

Mike and Lisa De La Cruz, whose son 24-year-old Sgt. Dillon Semolina was the helicopter crew chief, said ongoing maintenance problems should have kept the CH-53E Super Stallions grounded, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. No trace of their son has been recovered.

Capt. Cassandra Gesecki, a spokeswoman for The III Marine Expeditionary Force, defended the search and said that "no time was wasted."

"U.S. Navy dive teams immediately supported the initial search and rescue effort and began the underwater search phase, ultimately locating the mishap site," she said.

Just days before the January crash, a Marine general fired the commander of the helicopter squadron. Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Joseph Butterfield had said higher command lost confidence in Lt. Col. Edward Pavelka's ability to lead Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463. The Marine Corps hasn't released details about the firing.

Community Gives Final Tribute to Sgt. Turner's Life

Memorial held in Florala for fallen Alabama Marine 
WTVM News
By Allen Henry
Saturday, February 27th 2016

The two marine helicopters flew over Lake Jackson at the end of the service as a final tribute to Sgt. Turner's life.

Sgt. William Joshua Turner was 25 years old.

FLORALA, AL (WSFA) - Hundreds of friends, family and community members gathered in Florala on Saturday to honor the life of Sgt. Joshua Turner.

Two United States Marine Corps helicopters greeted Turner's family at the Florala Airport early Saturday morning.

Community members lined the side of Route 331 to pay their respects, some knowing the pain the family is feeling all too well.
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Boeing Faces Lawsuit After Osprey Crash in Hawaii

Marine's father vows lawsuit after fatal Hawaii Osprey crash 
Marine Corps Times 
By Jeff Schogol 
February 21, 2016

An MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lifts off at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 29, 2012, as part of a live-fire event. (Photo: Cpl. Michael Petersheim, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit )

The father of one of two Marines killed in an MV-22B Osprey crash last year in Hawaii said he plans to sue Boeing and the other companies that make the aircraft.

Mike Determan told Marine Corps Times that evidence shows the MV-22B is unsafe to fly because sand and dust can get sucked into its engines, causing the aircraft to crash. Military.com first reported about the pending lawsuit and that Determan wants the Marine Corps and Air Force versions of the Osprey to be grounded and eventually replaced by the Bell V-280 Valor.

His son, Lance Cpl. Matt Determan, was killed on May 17, 2015, when the Osprey he was flying in crashed while landing in low-visibility conditions. Lance Cpl. Joshua Barron was also killed.
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Marine Sustained by Faith After Helicopter Crash

35 years after mid-air collision, Marine finally speaks
Daily Bulletin 
Imani Tate 
February 9, 2016

Six Marines died in what Rivera described as a “horrific” crash between a CH-53 Sea Stallion and a CH-46 Sea Knight within 20 minutes of the Sea Stallion’s takeoff.

Joe Rivera, 56 of La Verne, stands next to a picture of himself next to a Marine CH-53 helicopter from the early 1980's. Rivera was the lone survivor of a midair helicopter crash between a CH-53 and CH-46 on February 10, 1981 in Tustin. Six marines were killed in the crash while Rivera suffered a broken back, third degree burns and a multiple of other broken bones and injuries. (Will Lester/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

LA VERNE

When Joe Rivera saw the white light, he thought he was dead.

And 35 years later, recounting the midair collision of two military helicopters over the Marine Air Station in Tustin at 7:20 p.m. Feb. 10, 1981, he remembered being aflame, his back broken and helicopter parts pinning him down as he hung upside down.

Christian, his 19-year-old son, sat quietly across from Rivera on Monday. Richard Villescas, Joe’s brother-in-law and best friend, slipped onto the sofa beside Rivera and gently rubbed his back as the 56-year-old former Marine hesitated over painful memories.

“It’s time,” Villescas said, looking around at loved ones who’d gathered at the Rivera family home to emotionally fortify the man they called “humble, heroic, generous and kind.”

It was the first time in 35 years that Rivera talked about the 1981 crash that killed six colleagues and almost claimed his life, the grueling and painful treatment and rehabilitative therapy he endured for years afterward and the spiritual faith and people he said repeatedly saved and sustained him.
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Hawaii Marine Osprey Crash Caught on Video

Billows of Dust, a Sudden 'Pop' and an Osprey Falls from the Sky 
Military.com 
Hope Hodge Seck 
January 29, 2016

A screen grab of a video showing the May 17, 2015, crash involving an MV-22 Osprey at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii. The accident claimed the lives of two Marines and injured 20 other troops on board. (Defense Department video)

The moments before landing are eerily calm.

Caught on shaky hand-held video, two MV-22B Ospreys appear over a ridge of hills. The first Osprey turns in toward a small landing zone near a chain link fence, its rotors facing skyward for a vertical descent. As it comes within meters of touchdown, a choking cloud of brown dust billows up from the ground, completely obscuring the aircraft from view. The dust cloud grows even larger and more expansive, and the Osprey appears once again, ascending briefly. It hovers for mere seconds above the brownout, and a tongue of flame appears to shoot from its left nacelle.

Then, its rotors still spinning, the aircraft simply drops out of the sky, crumpling on impact as the right rotor tears free and chews the dirt.

The circumstances of this May 17, 2015, crash, which claimed the lives of two Marines and injured the other 20 troops on board at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, are laid out through the accounts of eyewitnesses in a 2,200-page command investigation obtained by Military.com. The investigation recommends disciplinary or administrative action for the pilots and some aircrew of the aircraft and for Lt. Col. Andreas Lavato, the squadron commander for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, to which the Osprey was attached, and Col. Vance Cryer, commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which housed the squadron.
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Community Comes Together For Family of Missing Marine

Community rallies support for missing Marine's family
KOAA News 5
By Lena Howland
January 31, 2016

FOUNTAIN - A community rallied in support of a grieving southern Colorado family as their decorated Marine was lost at sea in a helicopter crash.

The American Legion Post 38 held a fundraiser dinner for fallen Marine Sergeant Jeffrey Sempler on Saturday evening.

As News5 has reported, Sempler's helicopter crashed off the coast of Hawaii during a routine training session more than a week ago.

The search for him and 11 other missing marines has since been called off.

"It's been really rough, we were hoping that they would find him alive, but that didn't happen," Laurie Allen, the mother of Jeffrey Sempler said.

A mother's worst nightmare.

"I kind of knew it was coming but I didn't want to believe it," Allen said.

She hopped on a plane to Hawaii soon after learning the search mission for her son was called off.

"It's hard, everybody lost so much," she said after meeting with the families of the 11 other marines.

Sergeant Jeffrey Sempler, one of 12 missing Marines, now presumed dead.
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KOAA.com | Continuous News | Colorado Springs and Pueblo

They did it in Pennsylvania too.

DUNCANNON, Pa. (WHTM) – A vigil was held for Sgt. Adam Schoeller, the marine who went missing off the coast of Hawaii, following a training exercise on January 14.

Sunday, the community gathered to honor a friend, son, neighbor, and comrade.

“We’re just going to miss him,” Adam’s father, Ralph Schoeller, said.

Even though Adam didn’t make it home, his memory is a homecoming.

Did Budget Cuts Cause Military Helicopter Crashes?

Slew of military helicopter deaths raises question of whether budget cuts endanger troops 
Stars and Stripes
By Tara Copp
Published: January 25, 2016

Retired Cmdr. Chris Harmer, who flew SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopters for the Navy, and who now is a defense analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, said there is a direct tie.

WASHINGTON — A threefold increase in helicopter crash deaths last year is raising questions about whether budget cuts are endangering troops by forcing deep cuts in maintenance and training.

Twelve helicopter crashes in 2015 killed 30 servicemembers — three times as many deaths as in 2014. Twelve more died Jan. 14 when two U.S. Marine CH-53 Super Stallions collided off the coast of Oahu in Hawaii during a night training flight.

Marine commanders including Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy Marine commandant for aviation, and Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, are looking at why so many helicopters are crashing, according to a senior defense official familiar with the discussions.

Almost all the deaths, including those on Jan. 14, occurred during home-station training missions.

Nondeployed units at their homes stations have dealt with reduced flight training opportunities for years. The continued high pace of wartime operations meant units deploying to conflict areas got priority for training.
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Dad of Missing Fort Myers Marine Asks For Prayers

Missing Marine's dad asks for prayers; search suspended
News Press
Stacey Henson
January 20, 2016

The father of Marine Cpl. Thomas Jardas, of Fort Myers, says the

search for his son off the coast of Hawaii will likely end tonight.

Thomas and 11 other Marines are missing after a Thursday

helicopter crash. (Photo: Courtesy of the Thomas Jardas family.)

A few days ago, Tim Jardas was encouraging his son to see the world.

Today, he's asking for prayers. Cpl. Thomas Jardas, 22, of Fort Myers, is one of 12 Marines missing after a helicopter crash off the coast of Hawaii late Thursday.

Officials suspended the five-day search for the Marines on Tuesday night. The Marine Corps is transitioning to "recovery and salvage efforts."

Tim Jardas could not be reached for comment Tuesday night, but earlier in the day the father sounded resigned.

"Our faith is getting us through this, and I need people to pray for us," he said. "I know my boy is in Heaven, but the rest of the family still needs the prayers."
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Coast Guard Finds 4th Life Raft of Missing Marines

4th life raft recovered from crashed choppers, but still no sign of 12 missing Marines
Hawaii News Now
Jan 19, 2016

There was no indication that any survivors were ever on the three life rafts that were recovered, the Coast Guard said. There was also no one on board the fourth raft that was recovered on Monday.

Search crews had a moment of silence Monday morning for the 12 Marines still missing after two helicopters crashed off Oahu's North Shore. Image Source: U.S. Department of Defense

HALEIWA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow)
All four life rafts from the two choppers that collided off Oahu's North Shore have been recovered on Monday but with no sign of any survivors, according to an official with the U.S. Marines.

In spite of this, rescuers on Tuesday will continue searching for the 12 Marines who were on board the two helicopters when they crashed late Thursday. This would be the fifth day of search-and-rescue operations.

More than 60 Marines will continue combing North Shore beaches for debris through the day, while multiple county, state and federal agencies continue to participate in the search effort by air and sea.

Navy divers have also been dispatched, and are using sonar technology around the last known position of the two choppers off Haleiwa. So far, they haven't seen any debris.
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Coast Guard Finds Life Rafts of Missing Marines

Search off Hawaii Finds Life Rafts but No Sign of 12 Marines
ASSOCIATED PRESS HONOLULU
By Audrey McAvoy and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
Jan 18, 2016

Marine Capt. Timothy Irish said Monday that aircrews wear personal flotation devices with their flight suits and get additional training on top of survival swimming training. There are various ways that life rafts could be inflated, including a cord being pulled by debris, he said.

A search vessel cruises the waters off the beach at Haleiwa, Hawaii, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.

Authorities searching the area where two Marine helicopters crashed off Hawaii have found some life rafts that were carried aboard the aircraft, but still no sign of the 12 crew members who were on board.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooers said Monday she believes three life rafts have been recovered so far. Some were inflated, but it was unclear how they came to be inflated, she said.

There is no indication that anyone was aboard the rafts, based on their condition and the lack of any personal effects, she said.

The search for the Marines entered its fourth day Monday, with plans to search into the night. Conditions have improved since the start of the search, with much smaller swells expected Monday.

Rescuers from various agencies have been searching since the Coast Guard was notified late Thursday of the crash by a civilian who saw the aircraft flying and then disappear and a fireball.
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Miss DC is Sister of Missing Marine from Florida

Missing Marine is the brother of Miss DC
WUSA 9 Staff
January 17, 2016

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- One of the 12 Marines missing after two helicopters crashed in Hawaii is the brother of Miss District of Columbia Haely Jardas, according to Jardas' Facebook page.

Two helicopter carrying six Marines each crashed off a shore in Hawaii on Thursday. The U.S. Marine Corps released the names of the Marines, including Jardas' brother Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, 22, of Fort Myers, Florida.

Jardas was crowned Miss District of Columbia in 2015 and competed in Miss America 2016.

The Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Program released the following statement Saturday on Facebook:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Haely and the entire Jardas family. Haely's brother was one of the marines involved in the helicopter crash in Hawaii yesterday. Please help us pray for his safe return.

A special thank you to the USO and TAPS who helped get Haely and one of our volunteers escorted though security and completely taken care of to get her home to be with her family."
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Marine From Florida Among Missing After Helicopters Collided

Marines Identify 12 Missing After Helicopter Crash Off Hawaii
NBC News
by PHIL HELSEL
January 17, 2016

The Marine Corps on Saturday released the names of 12 Marines missing after two helicopters apparently collided in mid-air off the coast of Oahu Thursday, as the search continued for the missing air crew for a second day.

The missing air crew were identified as:

Maj. Shawn M. Campbell, 41, College Station, Texas.

Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, St. Louis, Missouri.

Capt. Steven R. Torbert, 29, Florence, Alabama.

Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, 24,Chaska, Minnesota.

Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, Gardners, Pennsylvania.

Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler, 22, Woodruff, South Carolina.

Sgt. William J. Turner, 25, Florala, Alabama.

Cpl. Matthew R. Drown, 23, Spring, Texas.

Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, 22, Fort Myers, Florida.

Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, Hingham, Massachusetts.

Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, 21, Aumsville, Oregon.

Coast Guard and other aircraft and ships spent a second day searching for the missing Marines, but weather and high swells were hampering the effort.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, searchers had scoured more than 5,000 square nautical miles, the Coast Guard said.
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Sergeant Dillon Semolina

‘He Was Just A Fun-Loving Kid’: Missing Marine Left Mark On Community

Corporal Christopher Orlando
Family of missing Hingham Marine speak about son

Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller
PHILADELPHIA MARINE AMONG 12 MISSING AFTER HELICOPTER CRASH IN HAWAII

Search For Marines Continues After Helicopters Crash

12 missing after 2 Marine Corps helicopters crash off Oahu's North Shore
Hawaii News Now
By HNN Staff
Jan 15, 2016 4:33 PM EST

HALEIWA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow)
Rescue crews are searching for 12 service members who were on board two U.S. Marine Corps helicopters that crashed off Oahu’s North Shore late Thursday night.

The Marine Corps said the active search and rescue mission is for two Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, each with six personnel aboard. Officials said the helicopters collided near Haleiwa and landed in the water.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Fara Mooers said the Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe requested assistance following reports of a collision at around 10:40 p.m. She said a Waialua resident reported hearing aircraft and then saw a fireball. Another individual reported seeing a flare.
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Army Released Names of Aviators Killed in South Korea

Army releases names of aviators killed in South Korea crash
Army Times
By Michelle Tan, Staff writer
December 6, 2015

The Army on Sunday night released the names of the two aviators killed when their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in South Korea.

The incident happened about 6:30 p.m. local time on Nov. 23 during a routine training mission. The helicopter crashed about 50 miles east of Camp Humphreys.

It would be the first of three deadly Army helicopter crashes in 10 days, prompting U.S. Army Forces Command to ground all of its aircraft for a safety stand down. The stand down began Thursday and will end Monday evening.

• Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jason McCormack, 43 from Maryland, Fort Campbell 101st

CW4 Jason McCormack (Photo: Army)

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Smith, 38 from Colorado. Fort Carson

CW3 Brandon Smith (Photo: Army)

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Army helicopters at 11 U.S. Installations Grounded

Forces Command general orders Army helicopters at 11 U.S. installations grounded until Monday
FayObserver
By Drew Brooks Military editor
December 4, 2015

Army helicopters across 11 installations in the continental United States will be grounded until Monday under an order by Gen. Robert B. "Abe" Abrams on Thursday.

Abrams, the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, directed a five-day "aviation safety stand down" in a letter to commanders, a FORSCOM spokesman said.

The stand down, which requires units to stop flying while safety procedures are reviewed, will end Monday evening.

FORSCOM leaders said the stand down is in response to two recent fatal accidents involving soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Four soldiers were killed in the Fort Hood crash of a UH-60 Black Hawk, which occurred on Nov. 23.

On Wednesday, two more soldiers were killed near Fort Campbell after an AH-64D Apache crashed during a routine training mission.
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Fort Hood Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of 4 Soldiers

4 killed in Fort Hood helicopter crash
Killeen Daily Herald
Jacob Brooks Herald staff writer
November 24, 2015

FORT HOOD — An Army Black Hawk helicopter with four crew members on board crashed Monday evening, killing the four soldiers, officials said in a statement early this morning.

The crash happened sometime after 5:49 p.m. in the northeast portion on the Fort Hood Range.

"After an extensive search, emergency crews located the scene of the incident and are reporting the four crew members found deceased," Fort Hood officials said in a statement.

"The crew was assigned to Division West, First Army. They were on a routine training mission at the time of the crash."
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US and UK Lost Soldiers in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash

2 U.S. troops die in Afghanistan copter crash
USA TODAY
Alan Gomez and Gregg Zoroya
October 12, 2015

Two U.S. servicemembers were among five killed Sunday when a British helicopter crashed in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, the third mass-casualty event involving transport aircraft in the war-torn country in three months, coalition forces in Afghanistan said Monday.

The other dead were two British servicemembers and a French civilian contractor in what the NATO-led military mission described as a "non-hostile incident." The crash involving a British Puma Mk 2 helicopter happened at 4:15 p.m. local time at Camp Resolute Support in Kabul, and an investigation is underway.

"We're deeply saddened by the loss of our teammates," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Wilson Shoffner, military communications chief in Afghanistan. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected in this tragic incident and we pray for the full recovery of the injured."
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Ministry of Defence names RAF personnel killed in helicopter crash in Kabul as Flight Lieutenant Geraint Roberts and Flight Lieutenant Alan Scott