The U.S. Army has identified Captain Rebecca M. Lobach as the third soldier who tragically lost her life in the collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. Lobach, 28, from Durham, North Carolina, was serving as an aviation officer and had been a valued member of the Army since July 2019.

The helicopter crash resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals on board the American Airlines flight and the three military personnel in the helicopter. The other two soldiers identified previously were Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39. The incident marks the first fatal commercial aviation crash in the U.S. since 2009, prompting extensive scrutiny into the operational practices and safety measures of both the Army and commercial flight sectors.

Lobach was part of the 12th Aviation Battalion stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and had accolades such as the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Her family withheld her name initially, seeking privacy during their grief, but later released a heartfelt statement expressing their devastation: “Rebecca was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious, and strong. We request that you please respect our privacy as we grieve this devastating loss.” They further noted her aspirations of becoming a physician after her Army service, highlighting her dedication not only to her military responsibilities but also to serving others.

During her tenure, Lobach was recognized for her commitment as a certified Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) victim advocate and even volunteered as a White House Military Social Aide. According to her family, she aimed to continue her education to make a difference in the healthcare field after her military career. “My experiences with SHARP have reinforced my resolve to serve others with compassion, understanding, and the resources necessary for healing,” her family recalled her saying.

The investigation into the collision is ongoing. President Donald Trump recently commented on the incident, attributing it to flying height and the Federal Aviation Administration’s diversity hiring initiatives; claims that have been met with skepticism given no evidence supports a direct link to the crash. Many in the media have clarified that such policies were consistent with standards in place during earlier administrations.

The families of the bereaved are receiving support from the Army as they cope with this profound and tragic loss. Efforts to locate the bodies of the deceased are expected to continue in light of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

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