Third soldier from crash identified after delay due to concerns DEI policies would be blamed

The U.S. Army has identified the third soldier aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in Wednesday’s fatal midair collision near Reagan National Airport, following an initial delay at the request of her family.

The soldier’s identity was withheld due to unsubstantiated claims that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies played a role in the crash.

She has now been identified as Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina. Lobach had served as an aviation officer in the Army since July 2019, accumulating approximately 500 hours of flight experience in the Black Hawk, the Army said in a statement.

In addition to her aviation role, Lobach volunteered as a White House military social aide during the Biden administration, assisting in official functions such as Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremonies, according to Newsweek and CBS.

Lobach was also a certified Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) victim advocate, a role she deeply valued.

“My experiences with SHARP have reinforced my resolve to serve others with compassion, understanding, and the resources necessary for healing,” she once stated, per a family statement.

The other two soldiers aboard the Black Hawk were previously identified as Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara, the crew chief, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, the instructor pilot, who had 1,000 hours flight experience. Both pilots were undergoing evaluation at the time of the crash.

Lobach was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

“Rebecca began her career in the United States Army as a distinguished military graduate in ROTC at the University of North Carolina, and was in the top 20 percent of cadets nationwide,” her family said in a statement.

“She achieved the rank of captain, having twice served as a platoon leader and as a company executive officer in the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. With more than 450 hours of flight time, she earned certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.”

Her service record included no prior deployment, and her awards and decorations included the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon, according to the Army.

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