The Army confirmed all nine soldiers on board two Black Hawk helicopters died Wednesday night in a crash during a routine training mission near Fort Campbell, Ky.
Among those who died was Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, a native of Mountain Brook.
“This is a time of great sadness for the 101st Airborne Division,” said Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general of the 101st Airborne and Fort Campbell. “The loss of these soldiers will reverberate through our formations for years to come.
“Now is the time for grieving and healing. The whole division and this community stand behind the families and friends of our fallen Soldiers.”
Mitchell enlisted in the Army in 2014. Following basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., he was assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany as health care specialist. He was assigned as a Flight Paramedic for the Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division since November 2020.
The Army said Mitchell served on two tours in support of Atlantic Resolve, to Romania in 2019 and Germany in 2020.
Mitchell’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Basic Aviation Badge; Air Assault Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge.
The soldiers are:
- Warrant Officer 1 Jeffery Barnes, 33, of Milton, Fla.
- Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, of Austin, Texas
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza, 36, of Jackson, Mo.
- Sgt. Isaacjohn Gayo, 27, of Los Angeles
- Staff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore, 25, of Morehead City, N.C.
- Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, 32, of Cape Coral, Fla.
- Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Brook
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rusten Smith, 32, of Rolla, Mo.
- Sgt. David Solinas Jr., 23, of Oradell, N.J.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. Follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 Legislative Session.
