Helo Crash in the Med - 5 Souls Lost

Capt MJ

Capt MJ

Serviam.
15-Year Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2008
Messages
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Not a lot of detail yet - family notifications likely still being confirmed and press releases coordinated.

My heart breaks for the families and the people in their unit(s).

I used the old-school “souls” reference. It always humanizes the loss for me.

www.militarytimes.com

Five US troops killed in helicopter crash in Mediterranean Sea

The crew was conducting a “routine air refueling mission” during a training sortie when their aircraft suffered a mishap, the military said Sunday.
www.militarytimes.com www.militarytimes.com

From the poem “For the Fallen,” by Laurence Binyon:


“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
 
Heartbreaking 💔

Peace and strength to their loved ones, friends and unit mates. So hard to hear 🥺
 
Just heard: Army, routine training, no suspicion at this time of any hostile action. Sigh. 😢
 
According to news articles today, apparently the 5 were a Special Forces team.
 
I have no words. My "almost" daughter #2 is a US Navy Lt, and Seahawk pilot. My "almost daugher #1"...her husband is a Seahawk pilot just returned from the Med...the pain in any community, Navy , Army, USMC, AF, or USCG, it's real...

I have no words.

Requiescat in Pace....

1699846578567.png
 
severn said:
... praying ✝️.
Click to expand...
... it's a small world.
...was chatting with a fellow vet this morning, before the detailed news came out.
He was USMA '15 and his son (pilot ) is currently deployed in the Mediterranean with 160th SOAR (A).
 
For readers who aren’t sure what “NSDQ” signifies, this video is apt.

 
The Army and SOF will wrap itself around the families as the formal casualty assistance and support system kicks in, as well as the informal one. The military knows how to look after warrior families. Far too much practice.

For those who wonder how this is handled inside the military family:

www.militaryonesource.mil

DOD Casualty Assistance Program | Military OneSource

Learn about the Defense Department's Casualty Assistance Program, supporting military families after a service member's death, injury or illness.
www.militaryonesource.mil www.militaryonesource.mil

www.militaryonesource.mil

Army Casualty Assistance Information | Military OneSource

Service providers and leaders can access information on casualty and family support services for the Army such as emergency relief, case management and more.
www.militaryonesource.mil www.militaryonesource.mil


www.military.com

Casualty Assistance Officer

A Casualty Assistance Officer is responsible for notifying family members when a service member has died.
www.military.com www.military.com

I had the honor of serving as CACO for 2 Navy families. I am still in touch with them. Years before I came to USNA for duty, I was assigned as a notification CACO for the parents of a midshipman killed in a car accident. Later on in my career, I also had regional Navy CACO coordinator as a collateral duty for the Los Angeles area, and was involved in coordination for every Navy casualty in the area or any casualty elsewhere with NOK in the area. This is a program usually done very well across all services, because we all know it could have been us.
 
So heartbreaking. Regardless of how or why or when. My heart is heavy.
 
XX/////XX/////XX/////XX/////XX
Distinction to serve
Farewell my brothers in arms
At home, fireplace, tears.
XX/////XX/////XX/////XX/////XX
 
I’m constantly reminded of how small Naval Aviation, the Navy, and the military in general is. I have friends in military aviation in all branches, and knew that a handful are in the region. Before more details came out I was struck by how it could have been any of them. The nerves while waiting for an announcement hurt, but I know they can’t compare to what the families of these five are feeling now.

Fair winds…

—————
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…..
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
 
Skipper07 said:
I’m constantly reminded of how small Naval Aviation, the Navy, and the military in general is. I have friends in military aviation in all branches, and knew that a handful are in the region. Before more details came out I was struck by how it could have been any of them. The nerves while waiting for an announcement hurt, but I know they can’t compare to what the families of these five are feeling now.

Fair winds…

—————
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…..
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Click to expand...
A favorite!
 
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