HINESVILLE, Ga. — An Army captain died early Wednesday when two helicopters collided at a military airfield in eastern Georgia, authorities said.
According to Fort Stewart officials, Capt. James Bellew, 26, of Charlottesville, Virginia, was killed around 2 a.m. EDT when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, which serve as the Army’s utility tactical transport helicopters, collided at the airfield, WJCL-TV reported.
Bellew was found dead at the site, according to Stars & Stripes.
Bellew served at Camp Casey, South Korea, as a field medical assistant from September 2017 to September 2018, WTOC-TV reported. He became an aeromedical evacuation officer in 2019 and has been stationed at Fort Stewart since March 2020, according to WSAV-TV.
Fort Stewart soldier killed in helicopter crash at Wright Army Airfield identified https://t.co/gqDbfMGWFU via @ChaseJusticeTV, @dgracetv
— WSAV News 3 (@WSAV) March 31, 2022
His job at Fort Stewart was to evaluate critically ill COVID-19 patients, the television station reported.
“The loss of James is an immeasurable tragedy to his family, friends, crew and fellow Soldiers,” Col. Eric Vanek, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade commander, said in a statement. “James was a part of one of the noblest professions imaginable; he dedicated his life to serving our country and did so in a role where he was constantly helping, and saving the lives of others.”
Bellew’s military decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge and Army Aviator Badge, according to WJCL.
“Normally I hear the booming going on and the guns firing and the tanks and the helicopters you hear flying back and forth, and last night it was weird because I did hear a big boom and it was about (1:55 a.m.) when I heard it, but that’s all I heard,” Liberty County resident Mary Winkles told WSAV. “I didn’t hear anything flying around after that big boom. Then I wake up this morning and found out there was a helicopter that crashed. And you know, they’re here for us, they’re protecting us.
“So yeah, it’s heartbreaking, and we say prayers for the family and everybody involved.”
Wright Army Airfield has been closed until further notice while the crash is investigated, WTOC reported.
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