Rebecca Lobach has been identified as the female soldier in the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into an American Airlines flight last week and resulted in the death of 67 people.
The news was released by the U.S. Army, who had initially refused to identify Lobach at the request of her family.
Lobach, 28, was from Durham, North Carolina and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She had been serving as an active aviation officer since July 2019.
The other soldiers on the Black Hawk who lost their lives were fellow pilot Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, and crew member Staff Sergeant Ryan O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia.
The decision to release Robach’s name came “at the request of and in coordination with the family” as per a statement by the Army.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives,” her family said in a statement released by the Army.
“Rebecca was a warrior and would not hesitate to defend her country in battle … Rebecca was many things. She was a daughter, sister, partner, and friend. She was a servant, a caregiver, an advocate. Most of all she loved and was loved. Her life was short, but she made a difference in the lives of all who knew her.”
Lobach’s career as a service member
According to Lobach’s family, she graduated within the top 20% of ROTC cadets throughout the nation. Her accolades include the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
She also served as a White House social aide during the Biden administration.
Her impact was also felt by USA Today reporter and Army vet Davis Winkie, who credited Lobach for helping him through tough times during their time together.
“I wish we’d taken a photo together when we had lunch a year ago. I wish I’d remembered to invite her to a party I hosted a week ago. I wish she weren’t dead. You are so missed, Rebecca. This world won’t be the same without you,” Winkie said on X.
The investigation into how the Blackhawk crashed into the American Airliner jet, which resulted in one of the worst airplane disaster in decades, is still ongoing.