Two days after the devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, the Army released an official statement confirming details of the tragic event.
According to the statement, the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed “while performing a training mission near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”
Mission Linked to White House Evacuation Drill
Initial speculation suggested the Black Hawk’s mission was part of a classified evacuation drill for the White House. Eventually, defense sources confirmed to CBS News that the helicopter was retracing the president’s emergency evacuation route—an essential component of the government’s Continuity of Government (COG) plan.
The COG plan, as outlined on the U.S. government’s website, ensures that the government can continue operating in the event of a major disaster or attack on Washington, D.C. A key part of this strategy involves safeguarding key personnel and infrastructure, which includes planning for rapid evacuations from the capital.
Identities of the Victims
The U.S. Army has identified three military personnel involved in the crash:
- Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, from Lilburn, Georgia
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, who remains classified as duty status-whereabouts unknown (DUSTWUN) as his body has yet to be recovered
- Captain Rebecca M. Lobach, from Durham, North Carolina
Initially, Captain Lobach’s identity was withheld at her family’s request, but the Army later confirmed her as one of the victims.
Remembering Captain Rebecca M. Lobach
Captain Lobach had previously served as a White House military social aide under the Biden administration. Her family, in a statement released through the Army, honored her memory:
“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. Rebecca was a warrior and would not hesitate to defend her country in battle.”
Lobach joined the Army in July 2019 and had logged approximately 500 flight hours. She was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and had received several awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
A Tragic Loss
The crash highlights the risks faced by military personnel during training exercises, especially those tied to national security operations. As the investigation continues, the families of the fallen soldiers, along with the Army and the nation, mourn their loss.
