Air Force identifies victims in helicopter crash

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Six servicemembers were killed and five were injured when a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment crashed at approximately noon Nov. 8, 22 miles southwest of Aviano, Italy. 

Capt. Cartize B. Durham, Staff Sgt. Robert D. Rogers, Staff Sgt. Mark A. Spence and Senior Airman Kenneth P. Hauprich, Jr., all assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, were fatally injured during the crash. Capt. Christian P. Skoglund and Chief Warrant Officer DavidAngelo F. Alvarez,  both assigned as pilots to 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment , were also fatally injured during the crash.

Captain Durham, 30, was a materiel management flight commander. He entered the service in 1995 and arrived on station June, 2006. 

Sergeant Rogers, 27, was an avionic sensors team leader. He entered the service in 2001 and arrived on station May 2005. 

Sergeant Spence, 24, was also an avionic sensors team leader. He entered the service in 2003 and arrived on station January 2004. 

Airman Hauprich, 22, was an avionic sensors team member. He entered the service in 2004 and arrived on station June 2005. 

Capt. Skoglund, 31, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, is survived by his wife and his parents. He entered the service in 2000, and was with the unit for 15 months. 

Chief Warrant Officer Alvarez, 31,a native of Manteca, California, is survived by his wife and parents. He entered the service in 1994 and was with the unit for 15 months.

Technical Sgt. Tanisha A. Pryor, Senior Airman Michael J. Costley and Senior Airman Joshua A. Hanak remain hospitalized. Two other Soldiers assigned to the 214th regiment were injured in the crash and are currently hospitalized.

"We are devastated by this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family members, squadron members and friends of those who lost their lives and those who are recovering from their injuries," said Brigadier General Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander. 

General Franklin also praised the efforts of Italian emergency responders. "The support from the Italian community has been overwhelming," he said. "Emergency responders from fire departments and the four hospitals in the area used every measure available to help our Airmen." 

A memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 15 at Aviano Air Base. The accident remains under investigation. 

For information regarding U.S. Army personnel involved in the accident, contact the United States Army Europe Public Affairs Office, Heidelberg, Germany, at 06221-57-8934/5816.