The U.S. Army has officially identified Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach as the third soldier aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in Wednesday’s tragic midair collision near Reagan National Airport.
Lobach, an aviation officer from Durham, North Carolina, had served in the Army since July 2019, accumulating approximately 500 hours of flight experience in the Black Hawk, according to an Army statement.
Lobach’s family initially requested that her identity remain withheld due to unsubstantiated accusations that the Army’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies played a role in the crash.
The incident has fueled debate over whether the military’s focus on DEI is impacting operational readiness, though officials have not cited any direct connection.
Assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Lobach was a highly decorated officer. Her honors included the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there was “standard communication, so there was not a breakdown, if that’s your question, in communication between the military helicopter and the American Airlines flight. There was communication between the aircraft and the tower.”
Duffy noted the tragedy was preventable.
As the investigation continues, the Army is urging against speculation, emphasizing that the cause of the crash is still under review.
Following the crash, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said, “We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA. We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders.”
“Praying for the victims and first responders,” she added.
