Soldier Identified in Tragic Helicopter Training Accident
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Chief-Warrant-Officer-Dustin-Wright-061625-204a39be74de4cfda03adf4592bb04c8.jpg)
A soldier who tragically lost his life in a helicopter training accident has been identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright. The incident, described as ‘horrific’, occurred during an Army training exercise at Fort Campbell on June 11.
The U.S. Army confirmed the devastating news, revealing that Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright, aged 40, sustained fatal wounds from an AH-64 Apache helicopter training accident. The 101st Airborne Division shared the heartbreaking update in a Facebook post on Friday, June 13. In the same accident, another soldier, identified as a pilot, suffered minor injuries and was promptly evacuated to the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Tennessee. Fortunately, the pilot was discharged later that night.
Fort Campbell, a prominent U.S. Army installation stretching across the Kentucky–Tennessee border, is now grappling with the aftermath of the tragic incident. Col. Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Div., expressed profound sorrow over the loss of CW2 Dustin Wright. Partridge highlighted Wright’s dedication to supporting ground troops and serving with strength and honour as a former Infantryman.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear conveyed his sympathies, acknowledging the pain not only felt by the soldier’s family but by the entire nation when a committed individual in service to the country is lost. State Senator Craig Richardson emphasised that the dangers faced by the military are not confined to distant battlefields, underscoring the risks inherent in training and readiness activities.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin Wright’s military journey began in 2010, and he commenced his tenure at Fort Campbell in May 2022. Throughout his service, he earned accolades such as the Air Medal with “C” Device, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Expert Infantryman Badge. The 101st Airborne Division, renowned as the U.S. Army’s only air assault division, pays tribute to its members’ professionalism since their establishment in 1942.
Tragically, this is not the first time the 101st Airborne Division has faced loss during training exercises. In 2023, a helicopter training mishap claimed the lives of nine soldiers when two HH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters collided. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the recent accident at Fort Campbell, underscoring the inherent risks associated with military training.
As the Army community mourns the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright, tributes pour in honouring his service, bravery, and commitment to his fellow troops. The legacy of this dedicated soldier will endure in the hearts of all who knew him, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel in the line of duty.
The harrowing incident at Fort Campbell serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel in training and preparation, highlighting the unwavering courage and dedication demonstrated by individuals like Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright.