News

Skagit County woman among soldiers killed in JBLM training crash

Skagit County woman among soldiers killed in JBLM training crash

FILE - The main flag pole in front of the U.S. Army I Corps headquarters on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, Wash., hangs at half-staff, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) Photo: Associated Press


TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Army has released the names of four soldiers killed Wednesday when the military helicopter they were on crashed near a base in Washington state.

The victims are chief warrant officers Andrew Cully and Andrew Kraus, and sergeants Donavon Scott and Jadalyn Good, the Army said Monday in a release.

Cully, 35, was from Sparta, Missouri. Kraus, 39, was from Sanibel, Florida. Scott, 25, was from Tacoma, Washington, and Good, 23, was from Mount Vernon, Washington.

This undated photo released by the U.S. Army shows sergeant Jadalyn Good. (U.S. Army via AP)

The helicopter was on a routine flight training west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

The base is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Tacoma under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Joint Base Headquarters.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The skies in the area were mostly clear with light winds from the south around the time of the crash, according to the National Weather Service.

The soldiers “embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations,” Col. Stephen Smith said in the release.

They were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, an elite team that does nighttime missions, when their MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed about 9 p.m.

The regiment’s mission is to organize, equip and employ Army special operations aviation forces around the world, according to the Army’s website.

“Known as Night Stalkers, these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations,” the website said. “They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision.”

This was the second deadly crash of this elite unit in recent years.

Five Army aviation special operations forces were killed when a helicopter crashed in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2023 during a routine air refueling mission as part of military training. They were all part of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In March 2024, two soldiers from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord SOAR unit were hospitalized when their Apache helicopter crashed at the base during a routine training exercise.

Recent Headlines

4 hours ago in Community Events, Education, Entertainment, Fall Guide, Features, Lifestyle, We Are Whatcom

Kevin Coleman & Tatiana Stone: Directors of Bellingham SeaFeast

Updated

Meet the directors behind Bellingham SeaFeast, an event created to connect and educate the community about Whatcom County's maritime history.

10 hours ago in Entertainment

Emotional Jimmy Kimmel says in late-night return he never intended to make light of Kirk’s killing

Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension and, in an emotional monologue where he appeared close to tears, said that he wasn't trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

23 hours ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local

Seattle ABC affiliate to not broadcast return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! amid community backlash

The group added the programming will be replaced with news programming for the time being. 

1 day ago in Community Events, Education, Entertainment, Fall Guide, Lifestyle, Local

WWU’s ‘First Night Out’ hits downtown Bellingham this week

Join a procession from Red Square to Depot Market Square for live music presented by Blue Room, a block party, and a chance to explore over 30 downtown businesses.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

ABC ends Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and his show will return Tuesday

ABC will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel's late night show in the wake of criticism over his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, officials with the network said Monday.