Editor’s Note:
A previous version of this article stated that Kayla Stanek was Sgt. Jadalyn Good’s spouse. We have since been contacted by individuals who clarified that Stanek was a close friend and not her legal partner. While the original tribute reflected a deep emotional bond between the two, we acknowledge that their relationship was described by others as platonic. The article has been updated to reflect this distinction. We regret the error.
Four elite U.S. Army Soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) were killed on September 17 during a routine flight training mission near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. While the Army continues its investigation into the aviation mishap, the identities and stories of these fallen warriors deserve far more attention than the passing mention they’ve received from national outlets.
Among them was Sgt. Jadalyn Good, a 23-year-old helicopter crew chief, who had already carved out a path of excellence in one of the most selective aviation units in the U.S. military.
Col. Stephen Smith, commander of the 160th SOAR, issued a statement:
“These exceptional warriors… embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations. Their sacrifice in service to our nation will forever be etched in our hearts.”
And it should be. But outside of official Army channels, most Americans never heard their names.
Remembering Sgt. Jadalyn Good: A Young Life of Courage and Commitment
Jadalyn Good enlisted in 2021 as a UH-60 Helicopter Repairer. After selection into the 160th SOAR—a feat in itself—she graduated from the MH-60 Non-Rated Crewmember Course in 2023 and became a fully qualified MH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief. She logged over 730 flight hours supporting multiple missions across the U.S. and abroad.
Her decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Basic Aviation Badge—among others earned in a career cut tragically short.
But her impact wasn’t limited to the cockpit or the tarmac.
On Facebook, Kayla Stanek, shared a heart-wrenching tribute:
“Gone far too soon, how lucky I am to have had you. I love you always & forever.”
The post included personal clips of their life together—dancing, laughing, embracing—likely dating back to high school. It’s the kind of love story that never makes it into casualty reports.
“She Was Going to Lead”: A Fellow Soldier’s Tribute
Another soldier, Heather Brent, who served with Good in Advanced Individual Training (AIT), took to social media to make sure her name didn’t get lost in the algorithm.
“You can go through training with hundreds of soldiers and still know immediately who is going to rise quickly. Good was one of those.”
Brent’s post criticized the media silence, noting how aviation mishaps in the military have become so common that even the death of four special operations soldiers barely makes a ripple.
“People often ask if I miss crewing and flying. The answer is yes—but I don’t miss the fear and anxiety that came with every training flight. These risks are part of the job, but the reality is sobering.”
She’s right. Aviation crews like the Night Stalkers train constantly, flying through the dark, low-level, nap-of-the-earth missions under combat conditions. When things go wrong—even in training—it often happens fast and fatally.
And yet these crews fly anyway.
Because Night Stalkers don’t quit.
The Other Warriors Lost
CW3 Andrew Cully
Commissioned in 2013, later reappointed as a Warrant Officer. Cully was a UH-60M Instructor Pilot with deployments to Europe and INDOPACOM. He had recently completed the prestigious Instructor Pilot course at Fort Rucker and was highly respected among his peers.
CW3 Andrew Kraus
A dual-service veteran, Kraus served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a CH-46 maintainer before switching to the Army and becoming a medevac pilot. He deployed to Germany, conducted real-world medical evacuations, and most recently graduated the Aviation Maintenance Test Pilot Course.
Sgt. Donavon Scott
At just 24, Scott had already amassed over 776 flying hours as a fully mission-qualified MH-60 Crew Chief. He supported OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE and a classified contingency response mission before his life was cut short.
The recovery effort following the crash involved a coordinated response from multiple local and military units, including the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office; the Griffin, McLane, Lacey, and Olympia Fire Departments; the Department of Natural Resources; the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; the 17th and 22nd Special Tactics Squadrons; the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne); and I Corps.
The cause of the mishap remains under full investigation, with a formal safety inquiry being conducted in accordance with Army regulations.
Notifications to the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center were required under AR 385‑10, and the investigation will apply forensic analysis, human factors review, maintenance records, weather data, and other procedural scrutiny to trace the root causes. Further updates will be released as the investigation proceeds.
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