Army identifies third soldier killed in DC crash

The U.S. Army on Saturday identified the third soldier who died last week during a training mission that ended in a midair crash between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

At the request of the family, the Army named Capt. Rebecca Lobach, of Durham, N.C., as the third soldier. She had served as an aviation officer since July 2019 and received several awards including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

“Our deepest condolences go out to her family, and all the families who are mourning the loss of their loved ones impacted by this devastating accident. We continue to work with the families of our fallen Soldiers and support the ongoing investigations,” the Army said in the statement.

The family in a statement wrote that they are "devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca."

"She was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious and strong. No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals," Lobach's family wrote.

“Rebecca was a warrior and would not hesitate to defend her country in battle. But she was as graceful as she was fierce,” they added, noting that Lobach served as a White House military social aide and would volunteer to assist the president and first lady in hosting ceremonies and events.

The family also said Lobach was a certified Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Victim Advocate and planned to become a physician when she left the Army.

The family also touted Lobach’s credentials, noting she was in the top 20 percent of cadets when she graduated from ROTC at the University of North Carolina, had more than 450 hours of flight time, and earned certification as a pilot-in-command “after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.”

“Rebecca was many things. She was a daughter, sister, partner, and friend. She was a servant, a caregiver, an advocate. Most of all, she loved and was loved. Her life was short, but she made a difference in the lives of all who knew her. Our hearts break for the other families who have lost loved ones in this national tragedy and we mourn with them,” they wrote.

The Army on Friday released the names of the two other soldiers killed in the crash: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, the crew chief, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, a pilot. The Army did not provide an immediate explanation for the one-day delay in releasing Lobach’s name.

Sixty passengers and four crew members were also killed when the Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342, which was en route to Washington, D.C., from Wichita, Kan.

Topics

Salvage operations underway in DC plane crash

Special salvage cranes are in position to begin lifting wreckage of the American Airlines jetliner from the icy waters of the Potomac River following the midair collision with a Black Hawk ...
NBC News - 4h
DC Disaster: The Washington Plane Crash

Tragedy in the skies - the shocking DC plane crash and its devastating aftermath.
BBC News - 3d
WATCH: No survivors in DC plane crash: Fire chief

No survivors are expected from the plane crash, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said during a press conference Thursday morning.
ABC News - 4d
Army Identifies Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach as Helicopter Co-Pilot Killed in D.C. Crash

Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach’s family issued a statement that described her many achievements in the service.
The New York Times - 13h
Victims of Philadelphia air ambulance crash identified by jet company

Investigators have also located the aircraft's black box, CBS reports. It could provide clues into the cause of the crash.
BBC News - 16h
55 victims of DC collision identified

Fifty-five victims of the Wednesday collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport between an American Airlines plane and Army Black Hawk helicopter “[have] been positively identified,” ...
The Hill - 17h
Passengers, crew killed in 'high-impact' air ambulance crash in Philadelphia identified

Authorities said a seventh person, who had been in a car at the time of the crash, has died. Their identity has not yet been released.
The Hill - 20h
Plane crash victims identified, Parker urges city "to take care of each other"

Mayor Cherelle Parker said five people are still hospitalized following a fatal medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia, three of whom are in critical condition.
CBS News - 22h
55 D.C. crash victims positively identified; wreckage removal to begin Monday

Family members of the victims of the Potomac collision gathered at the site of the crash this morning for a memorial to honor their loved ones, according to an official familiar with the service.
NBC News - 1d
Third soldier identified in deadly midair collision over Potomac

All three soldiers who were on board the Army Black Hawk helicopter when it collided with an American Airlines regional jet near Washington D.C., on Jan. 29 have been identified.
NBC News - 1d
Soldier killed in D.C. midair collision identified as longtime aviation officer

One of three soldiers aboard an Army Black Hawk helicopter that was involved in the deadly midair collision outside Washington, D.C., was identified as Capt. Rebecca Lobach.
CBS News - 1d
Helicopter involved in fatal Washington plane crash was on army training drill

Secretary of defense says mission was for evacuating government officials in the event of a catastrophe or attack. Top US officials have said the military helicopter that collided with a passenger ...
The Guardian - 2d
At least 18 Pakistani soldiers killed in fighting with separatist rebels

Pakistan's military says 18 troops and 12 separatist rebels have been killed in fighting in northwestern Baluchistan province
ABC News - 2d
No official cause identified in DC plane crash but Trump continues to speculate

While no cause has been determined in the Washington plane crash, President Donald Trump was quick to try to assign blame on Thursday to Democrats, DEI and other factors.
ABC News - 2d
Congested DC skis under microscope after crash

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story After deadly crash, congested DC skies under scrutiny The deadly ...
The Hill - 2d
Army Withholds Identity of Helicopter Pilot Killed in Crash

The names of two male crew members were released, but the family of the third aviator requested privacy.
The New York Times - 2d
What's Next in the DC Jet Crash Investigation

President Donald Trump blamed DEI efforts at the FAA for the tragedy. But experts and investigators say open minds are critical to finding out what really happened.
Wired - 3d
What we know about Army helicopter, regional plane crash

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Investigations underway into military helicopter, plane crash A ...
The Hill - 3d
Listen: The Washington DC Plane Crash

No one is believed to have survived the disaster
BBC News - 3d
Hegseth: Army battalion involved in DCA crash grounded for 48 hours

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has grounded the Army battalion involved in the operation of the Blackhawk helicopter with three soldiers that crashed into a passenger plane with more than ...
The Hill - 4d
What we know about the American Airlines plane and Army helicopter crash

A regional jet carrying 64 people collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter. Reagan National Airport grounded all flights.
CBS News - 4d
American Airlines CEO expresses ‘deep sorrow’ over crash near DC

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed “deep sorrow” about the crash that occurred near Reagan National Airport in Virginia Wednesday. Isom, in a video statement, said the aircraft was ...
The Hill - 4d
WATCH: No survivors in DC plane crash: Fire chief

No survivors are expected from the plane crash, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said during a press conference Thursday morning.
ABC News - 4d
Plane crash near Washington DC: what we know so far

An American Airlines passenger jet with 64 onboard was coming in to land at Ronald Reagan National airport when it collided with a military helicopter. Washington DC plane crash – latest ...
The Guardian - 4d
Trump issues statement on DC crash: 'May God bless their souls'

President Trump released a statement on the deadly collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. Wednesday night, thanking ...
NBC News - 4d
Remains of U.S. soldier who vanished during WWII are identified

U.S. Army Pfc. Robert L. Bryant, 23, went missing after encountering a four-man patrol in Italy.
CBS News - 4d
Former North Korean soldiers offer glimpse of life in Kim Jong Un's army

South Korea's military suspects North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia to fight Ukrainian forces, following reports of heavy casualties among North Korean soldiers due to a lack of ...
NBC News - Jan. 25
Nigerian soldiers killed 79 militants and suspected kidnappers in the past week, army says

The army says Nigerian soldiers have killed 79 militants and suspected kidnappers over the past week in an operation targeting a decades-long insurgency by Islamic militants in the northeast and ...
ABC News - Jan. 24
Nigerian soldiers killed 79 militants and suspected kidnappers in the past week, army says

Yahoo News - Jan. 24
Raskin: Pardoned Jan. 6 rioters 'a reserve army of political foot soldiers'

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) slammed President Trump's decision to grant sweeping pardons to those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, suggesting they are "political foot soldiers" for Trump. ...
The Hill - Jan. 22
Israeli soldier killed by West Bank roadside bomb

Yahoo News - Jan. 20
Ghana soldiers kill at least 7 people described as illegal gold miners

Ghana's military says that soldiers have killed at least seven people at a gold mine
ABC News - Jan. 20
Sudan's army chief orders probe into alleged killings

Yahoo News - Jan. 16
Army doctor learns fate for sexually abusing dozens of soldiers

Maj. Michael Stockin pleaded guilty to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing, officials said.
CBS News - Jan. 16
Five Israeli soldiers killed, eight seriously wounded in Gaza

Yahoo News - Jan. 13
Scottish man killed while serving as medic with Ukrainian army

Jordan Maclachlan, 26, died on Friday while serving on the frontline in Ukraine, his family says. A Scottish man has been killed while serving on the frontline with the Ukrainian army, his family ...
The Guardian - Jan. 7
Three Israelis killed in West Bank shooting, army pursuing suspects

JERUSALEM — Three Israelis were killed on Monday and several injured in a shooting attack on a car and bus near the town of Kedumim in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Israel’s national ambulance ...
NBC News - Jan. 6