US Army Identifies 4 Night Stalker Soldiers Killed in Black Hawk Crash: Washington State Training Accident & Investigation

The United States Army has identified the four fallen soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) who died in the Black Hawk helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state last week. The victims—Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully, 35; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Kraus, 39; Sgt. Donavon Scott, 25; and Sgt. Jadalyn Good, 23—were members of the elite “Night Stalkers” unit, known for executing high-risk missions under cover of darkness.

The MH-60 Black Hawk crashed at approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17th, during what the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) has described as a routine training flight. The incident occurred west of the major military installation located about 10 miles south of Tacoma. While the skies were reportedly clear with light winds at the time, the exact cause remains under active investigation by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

A Closer Look at the Fallen Night Stalkers

The four soldiers represented a cross-section of experience and dedication within the special operations aviation community. The Army’s official release detailed their service records and the profound impact of their loss.

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully: A 35-year-old from Sparta, Missouri, Cully was commissioned in 2013 from Missouri State University. He had deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and Operation Swift Response, amassing a decade of specialized aviation experience crucial to the regiment’s global response capabilities.
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Kraus: The 39-year-old from Sanibel, Florida, joined the Army in 2017. He was recognized for supporting multiple critical training missions and deploying for contingency response operations, showcasing the adaptability and rapid deployment skills required of Night Stalker aviators.
• Sgt. Donavon Scott: A 25-year-old Tacoma, Washington native, Scott enlisted as a UH-60 helicopter repairer. He served on two support missions for Operation Inherent Resolve, highlighting the vital role of maintenance personnel in ensuring mission readiness and aircraft safety for combat operations.
• Sgt. Jadalyn Good: At 23 years old from Mount Vernon, Washington, Good served as a helicopter maintainer. The Army noted she was “instrumental in the success” of numerous training missions, underscoring how the dedication of support staff forms the backbone of any elite aviation unit’s operational success.

All four soldiers were decorated, having earned the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and various other awards and commendations throughout their careers.

In a statement, Col. Stephen Smith of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command conveyed the deep grief and respect within the command: “These soldiers embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations. As we mourn their loss, we stand united in honoring their memory and their extraordinary commitment to the mission.”

The 160th SOAR: An Elite and High-Risk Mission

To understand the significance of this loss, one must understand the unique unit to which these soldiers belonged. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is a one-of-a-kind formation within the U.S. military. Its primary mission is to provide aviation support to Army Special Forces, Ranger Regiment, Delta Force, and other national mission force units.

Nicknamed the “Night Stalkers,” their unofficial motto, “Death Waits in the Dark,” speaks to their specialization in nighttime operations. They are trained to infiltrate, resupply, and exfiltrate special operations forces in the most hostile environments, under total darkness, and often in challenging weather or terrain. This requires not just exceptional flying skill, but mastery of advanced avionics, terrain-following radar, and infrared countermeasures.

The regiment operates a fleet of heavily modified helicopters, including the MH-60 Black Hawk (like the one that crashed), the MH-47 Chinook, and the AH/MH-6 Little Bird. These aircraft are far from standard, equipped with extended-range fuel systems, in-flight refueling probes, sophisticated navigation systems, and enhanced defensive suites to survive in contested airspace.

The Inherent Dangers of Military Aviation Training

While the Night Stalkers are synonymous with combat, this tragic accident occurred during a training flight, a stark reminder that preparation for war carries its own inherent risks. Military aviation, particularly involving high-performance aircraft and complex maneuvers, is statistically more dangerous than civilian flying.

Training for special operations aviation is exceptionally demanding. Pilots and crew must practice low-level flight (often just feet above the ground or water), night vision goggle (NVG) operations which limit peripheral vision and depth perception, formation flying, and rapid insertion techniques. A momentary lapse, mechanical failure, or environmental factor can have catastrophic consequences, even without enemy action.

The Army, along with other service branches, maintains rigorous safety protocols and investigation procedures. The lead agency for this crash investigation is the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC) from Fort Novosel, Alabama. Their investigators will meticulously examine every available piece of evidence.

The Investigation Process and Safety Record

The crash investigation will follow a standardized, thorough protocol. A team of experts, including pilots, maintenance officers, human factors specialists, and material experts, has likely descended on the crash site. Their process is multifaceted:

• Wreckage Analysis: Every piece of the helicopter will be located, mapped, and examined for signs of mechanical failure, fire, or in-flight breakup. Critical components like the engines, transmission, and flight control systems will undergo forensic teardown.
• Flight Data Review: Investigators will recover data from the aircraft’s Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and flight data recorder (if equipped). This data provides a second-by-second account of the helicopter’s performance, control inputs, and system status prior to the crash.
• Environmental and Human Factors: The team will analyze weather conditions, terrain, visibility, and air traffic communications. They will also review the crew’s training records, recent duty schedules, and any potential physiological factors.
• Witness Interviews: Statements from other personnel on the ground, in the air, or involved in mission planning will be gathered to build a complete timeline of events.

The goal is not to assign blame, but to determine the “mishap chain”—the sequence of events and conditions that led to the accident—and recommend corrective actions to prevent future tragedies. This final report can take months, or even over a year, to complete.

This incident is the second fatal crash for the 160th SOAR in recent years. In November 2023, five special operations aviation soldiers from the regiment were killed when an MH-60 Black Hawk crashed during a routine air refueling training mission over the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, in March 2024, two soldiers from a JBLM-based SOAR unit survived but were hospitalized after their Apache helicopter crashed during a training exercise at the base.

Community and National Response to the Tragedy

The loss has reverberated far beyond the gates of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The local communities in Washington state, particularly Tacoma and Mount Vernon—the hometowns of Sgt. Scott and Sgt. Good—are in mourning. Elected officials from the state have issued statements of condolence and support for the families.

On a national level, the crash is a somber reminder of the daily sacrifices made by service members, even in peacetime. The Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army have likely been briefed on the incident. Fellow service members across the special operations and aviation communities, a tight-knit group, are sharing tributes and memories of the fallen soldiers on professional networks and social media.

The Army’s casualty assistance network has swung into action. Each family is assigned a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO), a uniformed representative who guides them through the difficult process following a loss, helping with benefits, paperwork, funeral arrangements, and providing a direct link to the Army during an emotionally devastating time.

Honoring the Legacy of Service

As the investigation continues quietly, the public focus remains on honoring the soldiers. Their biographies, released by the Army, are not just a list of names and awards. They tell a story of diverse Americans from different backgrounds—from the beaches of Florida to the towns of Missouri and Washington—who chose a path of extraordinary service.

Chief Warrant Officers Cully and Kraus represented the highly skilled pilot corps, the individuals who command these complex missions. Sergeants Scott and Good represented the equally critical maintenance and support personnel, whose meticulous work ensures the aircraft are ready to fly when called upon. In the 160th SOAR, the mission’s success depends entirely on this seamless crew coordination and mutual trust.

The Army will honor them with memorial ceremonies at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and likely at their regimental headquarters at Fort Campbell. Their names will be added to unit memorials and, in time, may be inscribed on the Army Aviation Memorial at Fort Novosel. For their families, the awards and decorations they earned will be presented in shadow boxes, tangible symbols of a life of commitment cut short.

Broader Context: Safety and Readiness in Military Aviation

This crash inevitably prompts broader questions about safety trends and readiness within U.S. military aviation. Over the past decade, Congress and the Department of Defense have expressed concern over a perceived increase in military aviation mishaps. Several factors are frequently cited in expert analyses and Pentagon reports.

A primary concern is aging aircraft fleets. Many helicopters, including older models of the Black Hawk, have been in service for decades. While they are regularly maintained and upgraded, the strain of continuous operations since 9/11 has taken a toll on airframes and components.

Another critical factor is maintenance and parts shortages. Budget constraints and supply chain issues can sometimes lead to delays in critical repairs or the use of cannibalized parts from other aircraft, potentially affecting readiness.

Perhaps most significantly, analysts point to pilot and crew strain. High operational tempos, frequent deployments, and the complexity of modern warfare can lead to fatigue and reduced training time for core aviation skills. The military continuously works to balance the urgent need for deployed forces with the essential requirement for sustained, high-quality training at home station.

The Army has implemented several safety initiatives in recent years, including the Aviation Restructure Initiative and increased investment in simulator training, which allows crews to practice high-risk procedures in a zero-risk environment. The data and findings from the investigation into this JBLM crash will feed directly into this ongoing effort to improve safety across the force.

Conclusion

The identification of the four soldiers lost in the Black Hawk helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord brings a painful measure of clarity to a profound tragedy. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Kraus, Sgt. Donavon Scott, and Sgt. Jadalyn Good represented the very best of the Army’s special operations aviation community—the Night Stalkers of the 160th SOAR. Their deaths during a routine training mission underscore the inescapable risks inherent in military service, even far from declared combat zones.

As the Army’s meticulous safety investigation unfolds to determine the cause of the crash, the immediate focus remains on supporting the grieving families, comrades, and communities. This incident, the second fatal crash for the elite regiment in under two years, casts a spotlight on the relentless demands placed on special operations forces and the complex challenges of maintaining readiness and safety in high-performance military aviation. The legacy of these four soldiers is one of exceptional skill, selfless duty, and the ultimate sacrifice made in preparation to defend the nation.