Three airmen killed in helicopter crash near Alaska named as USAF grounds all helicopters

The US Army has released the names of the three soldiers who were killed when two military helicopters crashed near Alaska last week.

The two AH-64 Apache helicopters collided over a rugged, mountainous area as they were returning to Fort Wainwright from an aerial gunnery range southeast of Fairbanks.

Killed were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Robert Eramo, 39, of Oneonta, New York; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle D. McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, 32, of North Logan, Utah.

A fourth soldier survived and remained hospitalised Sunday for injuries sustained in the crash, and was listed as being in a stable condition, said John Pennell, a spokesperson for the US Army Alaska.

A fourth soldier has been injured after two helicopters collided and crashed in Alaska (Eve Baker/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

There were no weather issues or visibility problems at the time of the crash, he added.

Investigators planned to fly on Monday morning to the accident scene about 50 miles (80 kilometres) east of the small town of Healy, Pennell said.

The Army grounded aviation units on Friday to conduct further training following recent deadly accidents.

“The battalion is devastated and mourning the loss of three of our best,” said Lt. Col. Matthew C. Carlsen, the 1-25th AB commander. Their loss can't be compared to the suffering felt by the soldiers' families, he said.

“The entire team has come together to focus our thoughts, prayers, and actions to provide and sustain them with whatever comfort and support they need at this time, and I promise that this will continue long into the future,” he said.

“The loss of these Soldiers is devastating and is being felt by family, friends and military communities across Alaska,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division.

“The families of Fort Wainwright and 1-25 are as strong a team as I’ve ever seen. Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of the fallen.”

It comes after two Black Hawk helicopters crashed last month in Kentucky during a routine night-time training exercise that killed nine soldiers.

In February, a Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk crashed in Alabama during a flight-training mission, killing two crew members.

Also in February, two soldiers were injured when an Apache helicopter rolled after taking off from Talkeetna, Alaska.