re: La Nat Guard soldiers among those killed in helicopter crash. *PRAYERS*

The LANG Major General speaking at yesterday's presser said two launched and one returned almost immediately because of the weather. My understanding is that a go/no go decision is up to the aircraft commander, but I'm sure it'll raise some questions.

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I don't understand exactly how this works, but I know that these guys have families and hope that they get fair compensation for their service. I would hate to see these families struggle after the loss of their husbands/fathers. The family that I know is going to have their friends/family put together a trust to pay for schooling and whatnot.

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They will get a $100k tax free "death gratuity" within 24 hours to make sure no bills go unpaid and family can handle immediate expenses. Almost all service members have SGLI which is a $400,000 payout.

Each family will have a CNO do the notification and then a CAO (or several) to assist with funeral details, benefits, moving if necessary, setting up appointments with financial specialists etc.

I've been in the Army 12 years and we do a lot of things wrong but one thing we got right is taking care of families of SM that get killed. We learned a lot of hard lessons in 2004 and were caught off guard with a lot of casualties but the CAO / CNO program now is really good.

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hope the Army gets to conduct a 15-6

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What's this for us civilians? My heart breaks for those wives, children and parents as well as friends of the crew.

If they have minor children those children will be eligible for benefits under social security as well.

I want to clarify my call for an investigation. Both pilots were combat vets (multiple deployments) and were instructor rated, in other words the best pilots we have, so pilot error seems unlikely. What I would like to know is who green lighted the operation at the JOC level given the weather?

Started reading this thread first thing yesterday morning when not long after was notified my first cousin was in the crash. Truly one of the worst feelings ever. So many questions with very little info. Prayers to all the other families and friends involved.

Soldiers leave for holidays

were either of these guys part of the crew?

From what I have been told, the forecast did not include any fog hazard.
They were caught by surprise, hence, the one aircraft aborting the operation.
The last transmission from the other was IMC.

Any time there is a fatality there will be a 15-6.

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Any time there is a fatality there will be a 15-6.

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Yep, but who runs with the ball? I assume everyone was Title 10 (even the Guard personnel) but it was a joint operation, AF, Army and Navy.

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I think Ace Midnight spent a long time in the Nat'l Guard.

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I did and I'm still in the reserve. I have never had to inform families and I've never lost a soldier on a mission. I am woefully undereducated on what happens, but the death gratuity, burial benefit, etc., is pretty paltry, overall. I cannot imagine what it is like for either families or the notifying officials.

The SGLI is the significant amount - $400k. Honestly, there may be some special programs for hazardous duty like aviation or what have you, but I'm not aware of the details, if they exist or are applicable in this case.

David is the only one of this group that I have any knowledge of and he was doing very well for himself, financially. I mean, he didn't need to be flying helicopters for the money. Being an army aviator was just something he loved to do - he would have paid to do it. I must assume (and hope/pray) that his doing well included taking care of his family in case something like this happened.

When people denigrate Guard and Reserve service, I'm quick to point out that what we do, even in peacetime, even part-time is inherently dangerous (not me, personally, I've got a fairly cushy, nice safe gig - it's taken me 25 years to become an overnight success) - firing small arms, handling/using high explosives, operating heavy tracked vehicles, driving heavy vehicles over rugged terrain in all sorts of weather, operating aircraft, traveling in aircraft, exiting aircraft under combat conditions, climbing, rappelling, swimming with gear, etc. - just a shite-ton (<- that's a technical term) of stuff that can get sideways in a hurry and hurt/maim/kill you. And there's no getting around it - we have to practice combat tasks, under as realistic conditions as possible, to have any sort of proficiency at the task during wartime.