Army captain killed when 2 helicopters collide at Georgia military airfield – FOX13 News Memphis

HINESVILLE, Ga. — An Army captain died early Wednesday when two helicopters collided at a military airfield in eastern Georgia, authorities said.

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Fort Stewart officials say Capt. James Bellew, 26, of Charlottesville, Va., was killed around 2 a.m. EDT when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, which serve as the utility tactical transport helicopters army, collided on the airfield, WJCL-TV reported.

Bellew was found dead at the site, according to stars and stripes.

Bellew served at Camp Casey, South Korea as a Field Medic from September 2017 to September 2018, WTOC-TV reported. He became an aeromedical evacuation officer in 2019 and has been stationed at Fort Stewart since March 2020, according to WSAV-TV.

His job at Fort Stewart was to assess critically ill COVID-19 patients, the TV station reported.

“The loss of James is an immeasurable tragedy for his family, friends, crew and fellow soldiers,” Col. Eric Vanek, commander of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, said in a statement. “James was part of one of the noblest professions imaginable; he dedicated his life to serving our country and did so in a role where he constantly helped and saved the lives of others.

Bellew’s military decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Army Airman Badge, as per WJCL.

“Normally I hear the rumble and the guns firing and the tanks and helicopters you hear flying back and forth, and last night it was weird because I heard a big rumble and it was about ( 1:55) when I heard, but that’s all I heard,” Liberty County resident Mary Winkles said. WSAV. “I didn’t hear anything flying after that big bang. Then I woke up this morning to find a helicopter had crashed. And you know, they are there for us, they protect us.

“So yeah, it’s heartbreaking, and we say prayers for the family and everyone involved.”

Wright’s Army Airfield has been closed until further notice while the accident is investigated, WTO reported.

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