Army Guard helicopter crash kills crew

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell

National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. – At about 5:30 p.m. EST on Saturday a Tennessee Army National Guard OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter with two pilots on board crashed in northern Tennessee. Both pilots were killed.

Army Maj. Gen. Max Haston, adjutant general, said that Army 1st Lt. Thomas Joseph Williams Jr. and Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel Cole died in the crash.

“The entire Tennessee National Guard is deeply saddened at the loss of Lieutenant Williams and Chief Warrant Officer Cole,” Haston said.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to their families and loved ones. Words cannot express the sorrow I personally feel for these Soldiers, their families and their fellow Soldiers who knew and served with them in peacetime and combat. Their loss is incalculable.

“It is a terrible tragedy whenever we lose a Soldier, but we can rest assured that these two outstanding pilots lost their lives doing something that they loved and believed in, preparing to defend the freedoms we all enjoy.”

Haston added that at the time of the crash the crew was conducting a routine training flight.

“I pledge our full support to the agencies charged with the responsibility of investigating the cause of this crash and appreciate their professionalism and support to our Soldiers and families,” he said.

An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause.

– The Tennessee National Guard contributed.