Honoring the “Night Stalkers”: The Tragic Black Hawk Helicopter Crash and the Sacrifice of Four 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Members

Overview of the Incident

In September 2025, a tragedy struck when an MH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter crashed during a routine training flight near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state. This severe accident claimed the lives of four elite service members from the U.S. Army’s premier aviation force.

Idenтιтies of the Valiant Soldiers

The four fallen crew members belonged to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), widely known as the “Night Stalkers”. They include:

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully (35, from Sparta, Missouri).

• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Kraus (39, from Sanibel, Florida).

• Sgt. Donavon Scott (25, from Tacoma, Washington).

• Sgt. Jadalyn Good (23, from Mount Vernon, Washington).

Incident Timeline and Rescue Operations

• The helicopter went down at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time in a mountainous, heavily forested area near Summit Lake, west of Olympia.

• The heavy impact sparked a small wildfire at the crash site, posing initial challenges for ground rescue teams attempting to access the area.

• The U.S. Army, working in coordination with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and local authorities, launched search, rescue, and investigation efforts.

The Legacy of the “Night Stalkers”

The 160th SOAR is globally renowned for its exceptional night-flight capabilities, executing the most dangerous missions across all weather conditions and combat scenarios. The loss of these four crew members is a profound tragedy for the U.S. Army and the special operations community.

Leadership from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) expressed deep sorrow, emphasizing that their sacrifice during advanced combat readiness training will forever be remembered as a symbol of courage and devotion to the nation.

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