Army pilot killed in helicopter training accident in Kentucky identified
A 40-year-old Army pilot was killed, and a second pilot was injured, in a helicopter training accident Wednesday evening at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the Army post said.
The soldier killed was identified Friday by the 101st Airborne Division as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright.
In a post to social media earlier Friday, the 101st Airborne Division said the incident involving an AH-64 Apache helicopter had occurred in "preparation for the Army's 250th birthday," the festival and parade being held in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the Army's 250th anniversary — that also coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday.
However, in a follow-up post, the division said it wanted to "clarify" that the incident "occurred during a routine attack aviation training mission inside the Fort Campbell training area. The crew was not in direct support of Week of the Eagles or Army Birthday."
A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division also told CBS News by phone Friday that the training exercise had "100% nothing to do with the birthday parade in D.C." and was simply "happening while the Army prepares for the 250th birthday date."
Week of the Eagles is an annual event that honors the heritage of the 101st Airborne Division.
The injured pilot was treated and released from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital for minor injuries, officials said.
No further details were provided. The incident is under investigation.
Wright joined the Army in 2010 and had served at Fort Campbell since May 2022. He was highly-decorated, having been awarded the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge, among others, his division said.
"The entire 101st Combat Aviation Brigade grieves the loss of CW2 Dustin Wright," Col. Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, said in a statement Friday. "A former Infantryman, Dustin cherished every opportunity to be outside and support ground troops. He did so with strength and honor. We will forever cherish the memories of his service, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him."
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was among those offering condolences to the family of the soldier who died.
"No matter how it happens, when we lose someone who has committed to serving our country, I know it hurts that family but it should hurt us all," the Democratic governor said Thursday.
Kentucky state Sen. Craig Richardson, whose western Kentucky district includes the Fort Campbell area, said the soldier's death was heartbreaking.
"This tragedy is a solemn reminder that the dangers our military faces are not limited to distant battlefields," the Republican lawmaker said. "The call to serve brings risks at home, in training, preparation, and quiet readiness."
The sprawling Fort Campbell post straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee line.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
9 minutes ago
- CBS News
Verona caretaker charged with neglecting special-needs patient
A caretaker has been charged after Verona police say she neglected a special-needs patient who requires around-the-clock care. The Verona Police Department was originally called to a welfare check along North Avenue on Friday, just after 4 p.m., after receiving reports that a care-dependent individual was left alone at a home. Aryann Harper, 24, has been charged after she allegedly left the patient's residence after her relief worker was late to begin the next shift. Arriving officers found the patient, a man, alone after Harper left the house. The man cannot be left alone for safety reasons, police say. Further investigation from police revealed that Harper is employed by On-Site Companionship Services, which provides around-the-clock care to individuals with special needs and manages a location on North Avenue in Verona. The criminal complaint details that there have been "several arrests of employees from this company for neglecting care-dependent individuals at this residence, including one incident involving the current resident on May 2, 2025." Surveillance video provided by those who reported the incident to police shows Harper arguing on her cell phone at approximately 3:57 p.m. Harper allegedly told the patient, "You are going to have to stay here while I leave." The man, who was on the porch with Harper before she left the residence, then entered the home. Police arrived to find the man on the phone with Harper, with Harper believing it was acceptable to keep him on the phone after she left, the criminal complaint added. Harper reportedly did not contact her employer about the incident, and at one time, her supervisor called, but Harper disconnected the call. At approximately 4:15, another man identified as Eric Trowery arrived at the home, saying he was the supervisor for On-Site Companionship Services and claimed he was in the neighborhood to handle some paperwork. Harper's relief arrived shortly thereafter Trowery's arrival. Harper has been charged with neglect of a care-dependent person.
CBS News
15 minutes ago
- CBS News
Driver critically injured after vehicle and train collide in Fort Worth, police say
A driver was critically injured Saturday evening after their vehicle and a train collided in Fort Worth, according to police. The collision occurred around 5:22 p.m. near West Biddison Street and Ryan Avenue. Emergency crews responded and found a single vehicle involved in the crash, authorities said. (Image: iStockphoto) The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Investigators are currently working to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision, police said. CBS News Texas will provide additional details when they become available.
CBS News
20 minutes ago
- CBS News
Police disperse "No Kings" protesters in downtown L.A.
Los Angeles police issued a dispersal order on Saturday afternoon for "No Kings" protesters after the crowd allegedly started throwing objects near the downtown federal building, according to law enforcement. While the demonstration was largely peaceful throughout the day, Los Angeles Police Department officers said on a post to X, "people in the crowd are throwing rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects" when the march passed by the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building. In a later post, the LAPD said that "commercial grade fireworks" were thrown at officers. Commercial grade fireworks are being thrown at officers Temple and Main St. — LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 15, 2025 Protesters interviewed by CBS News Los Angeles blamed the escalation on the police. "They came in super, super hard and aggressive, and that's what created all of this," one protester said. "No warning. They just masked up ... It's upsetting because how are people supposed to feel like their voices are being heard when they're being violently put down by the state itself." Protesters face off with police outside of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump's immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images Police deployed smoke and flash-bangs while moving the crowd away from the federal building. Aerial footage shows officers detaining several people. CBS News Los Angeles reporter Zach Boetto and Tom Wait said protesters continued to throw objects at law enforcement after being pushed to the heart of downtown L.A., near the Civic Center. Police advised people to avoid the area in a post on X. The LAPD also closed all 101 Freeway on ramps and off ramps between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway. No Kings Day of Defiance protests Tens of thousands of people participated in dozens of "No Kings" protests in downtown Los Angeles and throughout Southern California to join a coalition of activists across the country demonstrating "in defiance" of President Trump. "No Kings Day of Defiance," a nationwide series of protests scheduled for Saturday, was planned as a counter to the military parade taking place in Washington, D.C., on the same day. That parade is being held in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, which coincides with Mr. Trump's 79th birthday. "On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," organizers said. "A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." Hundreds of these protests are planned across the country, including in all major U.S. cities. They were scheduled before the ICE protests throughout L.A. that began last weekend. During a news conference on Saturday morning, Mayor Karen Bass pleaded with protesters to keep things nonviolent. "Please, please do not give the [Trump] administration an excuse to intervene," Bass said. "Let's make sure to show the world the best of Los Angeles and our country." The organizers of the event said the nationwide demonstration were peaceful. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the event's organizers said in a statement. The Los Angeles Police Department repeatedly called the downtown L.A. march peaceful in social media posts. What's happening in Los Angeles Dozens of marches were scheduled in Southern California alone, each with its own size and scope. Many are scheduled in the L.A. area, including Santa Monica, Glendale, Long Beach and West Hollywood. Dozens of protests are planned across Southern California on Saturday in response to the military parade being held in Washington D.C. No Kings website Organizers said the gathering in downtown L.A. was expected to draw as many as 25,000. It was scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but many protesters stayed longer. Law enforcement was expected to have a large presence. Since last weekend, troops with the National Guard have been deployed to L.A., where they've been ordered to protect federal buildings and personnel. On Friday, about 200 U.S. Marines were deployed for the same purpose. Thousands gathered outside of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday morning to protest President Trump at the "No Kings" gathering. KCAL News Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said during the Saturday morning news conference that the LAPD was prepared to handle the protests. The downtown curfew instated by Mayor Bass on Tuesday remains in effect. Starting at 8 p.m., no one is allowed within a one-square-mile zone within downtown L.A. until 6 a.m. Sunday, with some exceptions. Bass said Saturday morning that hundreds of additional law enforcement officers will be in place to enforce the curfew following the "No Kings" protest. Mounting tensions At around 7 a.m. in downtown, CBS News Los Angeles crews spotted several businesses boarding up storefronts in preparation for the protest. "Nonviolent action" is listed as a core principle of the "No Kings" protests, according to the organizers. Starting last week, protests against immigration enforcement operations broke out throughout L.A., leading to a national controversy as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Trump sparred over the response. Newsom filed a lawsuit against Mr. Trump on Monday, asking a judge to "prevent the use of federalized National Guard and active duty Marines for law enforcement purposes on the streets of a civilian city." On Tuesday, a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order and instead scheduled a court hearing for Thursday, giving Mr. Trump's legal team time to respond. Mr. Trump has defended the decision to send military forces to L.A. by citing "incompetence" in local and state leaders, namely Bass and Newsom. In a post to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday morning, Mr. Trump said, "The INCOMPETENT Governor of California was unable to provide protection in a timely manner when our ICE Officers, GREAT Patriots they are, were attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" More "No Kings" protests across Southern California Outside of downtown L.A., demonstrators gathered for other "No Kings" protests in 20 other neighborhoods and cities throughout the county. Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian thanked protesters for remaining peaceful. "As we conclude our demonstration, we thank the public for their peaceful assembly and cooperation. Please have a safe night," Derderian wrote. Protesters march across an intersection in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. KCAL News Protesters organized 22 other demonstrations throughout Ventura County, Orange County and the Inland Empire. The event organizers said the nationwide protest took place in more than 2,100 cities and towns and drew more than 5 million participants. "We don't do kings in this country. We do solidarity. We do community. We do justice—and we do it together," they said in a statement. contributed to this report.
