Memorial service set for Nellis crash victims

A memorial service for the 12 airmen killed in Friday's helicopter training accident near Indian Springs will be Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base.

The ceremony for friends and family of the deceased is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Thunderbird hangar. It is not open to the public.

The 12 men were a part of the 66th Rescue Squadron, which is a rescue force that is called upon to save the lives of downed Air Force personnel. The squadron has aided local authorities in numerous rescues involving civilians as well.

The six men killed on one of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter were: Capt. Gregg Lewis, pilot; Capt. Phillip Miller, co-pilot; Staff Sgt. Kevin Brunelle, flight engineer; Staff Sgt. Kenneth Eaglin, flight engineer; Senior Airman Jesse Stewart, para-rescueman; and Master Sgt. Matthew Sturtevant, gunner.

Those on the second helicopter were: Lt. Col. William Milton, pilot; Capt. Karl Youngblood, pilot; Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Armour, flight engineer; Senior Airman Adam Stewart, flight engineer; Airman 1st Class Justin Wotasik, para-rescueman; and 2nd Lt. Michael Harwell, mission essential ground personnel.

Ages and hometowns of the victims were not available Monday.

The cause of the crash of the two helicopters 25 miles north of Indian Springs is yet to be determined. The two crews left Nellis aboard the $10.1 million helicopters at approximately 8:30 p.m. Thursday and were scheduled to return at 12:30 a.m. Friday. At 1 a.m., a recovery team was sent to look for the overdue helicopters.

At approximately 2 a.m. the search team found what they thought was wreckage, said a base spokesman. It may be months before the cause of the crash or crashes is determined, officials said.

To help family and the 259 members of the 66th Squadron deal with the loss of their colleagues the base has set up a counseling center. The center, manned by the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, is located in the base's chapel annex. Those in need of help can call the counselors at 652-5027 daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Nevada Federal Credit Union has opened an account to help families of the victims.

In a statement released Sunday by Capt. Lee Bloom, whose husband Capt. Karl Youngblood was killed in the crash, she said wanted to thank everyone who has given her their support.

"I want to thank my Air Force family," Bloom said.

"They have been doing so much to get us (family members) through what are probably the worst moments of our lives.

"I can't say right now what my future with the Air Force holds, but I can say I'm terribly proud of my husband and his squadron, and the sacrifice they were willing to make for their country."

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