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Authorities have identified the two veteran Tennessee National Guardsmen killed when their helicopter plummeted onto an Alabama highway near Huntsville.
Daniel Wadham, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Joelton, and Danny Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro, were on board the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter when it exploded on Highway 53 at 3.30pm on Wednesday, US Military officials confirmed
The two were participating in flight training and heading toward the Huntsville Executive Airport when the helicopter came crashing down near Highway 53 and Burwell Road. The deadly crash caused heavy delays and road closures.
‘Words cannot express my sorrow for the loss of these two Tennessee National Guardsmen,’ Gen. Warner Ross said at a press conference. ‘It is felt not only within the ranks of the Tennessee National Guard, but across our entire military community.’
Details on what caused Wadham and Randolph to crash weren’t immediately available.
Daniel Wadham, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Joelton, and Danny Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro, were on board the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter when it exploded on Highway 53 at 3.30pm on Wednesday
A Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter ‘exploded’ into a huge fireball on an Alabama Highway
Footage from the scene showed thick, black smoke billowing from the crash site. The fire was quickly extinguished.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the helicopter ‘exploded on impact and was burning’ when firefighters arrived, adding ‘It’s a pile of rubble.’
A chilling video from a nearby home’s surveillance camera caught the moment the helicopter spiraled out of the sky before a loud explosion was heard.
Grieving military colleagues were heartbroken to learn about by the loss of Wadham and Randolph.
Wadham, who was married with two young daughters, was remembered for his warmth and encouragement.
‘For the years that I was fortunate enough to know Wadham and his wife, Zetty, they were always so kind, happy, and positive,’ fellow service member Jamie Smith wrote in a grieving post.
‘Always sharing updates with me, supporting me throughout all the deployments, and Army training, they always had their door wide open for me…I always enjoyed laughing and smiling, watching their girls grow up and all the silly stuff Wadham would say and share.’
Grieving military colleagues were heartbroken to learn about by the loss of Wadham and Randolph. Pictured: Wadham right with another service member
Wadham, who was married with two young daughters, was remembered for his warmth and encouragement
Randolph served 13 years in the military. He was assigned to Nashville’s Berry Field Air National Guard Base. Pictured: Randolph with his family
Law enforcement officers were seen at the scene of the crash. The helicopter appeared to be completely destroyed
Tennessee serviceman Johnathon Schleicher remembered Wadham as being more than just a military man.
‘For those who don’t know, we lost a true warrior yesterday. Anyone who ever knew Daniel Wadhamknew he was the definition of the all too familiar description “Jack of all trades.” He had his fingers in everything, but above all, he was a great father, a great Soldier… and a great man,’ Schleicher wrote.
Randolph was also married with three kids. He was remembered as a ‘true American hero.’
‘Words fail me… I’ve been pretty much speechless since last night,’ Ambi Stewart Smith wrote on Facebook. ‘Danny was such a light in whatever space he was in. A hero you are indeed.’
‘You’re next flight is heaven,’ another chimed in while sharing a photo of Randolph.
Wadham had served in the military for 15 years while Randolph served 13. The two were assigned to Nashville’s Berry Field Air National Guard Base.
For the US Military, the Army is the primary user of the Black Hawk helicopter with about 1,600–1,700 of different variants in use. Here a similar helicopter is pictured flying
Video footage of the incident which took place at about 3pm on Wednesday show the helicopter crashing onto the Highway
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