The U.S. Army has identified five U.S. soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Sinai, Egypt on Thursday.
In an emailed statement to American Military News, the U.S. Army identified the deceased as Capt. Seth Vernon Vandekamp, 31, from Katy, Texas; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dallas Gearld Garza, 34, from Fayetteville, North Carolina; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marwan Sameh Ghabour, 27, from Marlborough, Massachusetts; Staff Sgt. Kyle Robert McKee, 35, from Painesville, Ohio and Sgt. Jeremy Cain Sherman, 23, from Watseka, Illinois.
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn this tragic loss of life,” Col. David S. Sentell, commander of Task Force Sinai said in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of our fallen during this most difficult time. They should know that their nation will continue to honor their sacrifice.”
Vandekamp, Garza, McKee and Sherman were active-duty Army soldiers while Ghabour was an Army Reserve member.
One Czech, one French individual were also killed in the crash. An Army spokesman said a sixth soldier remains hospitalized following the incident.
The soldiers were assigned to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an international peacekeeping force overseeing the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty.
The soldiers died as a result of a UH-60 helicopter crash and the incident is under investigation. The MFO, in a Thursday statement, said they were also investigating the incident and said the cause of the crash “appears to be mechanical in nature.”
Vandekamp was an Army doctor assigned to Medical Company, Task Force Sinai. This was his first overseas assignment, arriving to Egypt in October 2020. His decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
Garza was a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Aviation Company, Task Force Sinai. He previously served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Service Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Arrowhead Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, the Army Aviator Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Ghabour was a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot assigned to Aviation Company, Task Force Sinai. This was his first overseas assignment, arriving to Egypt in January 2020. Ghabour’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Aviation Badge.
McKee was a UH-60 Helicopter Repairer assigned to Aviation Company, Task Force Sinai. He previously served tours in Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
His decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, Senior Aircrew Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Sherman was a UH-60 crew chief assigned to Aviation Company, Task Force Sinai. He enlisted in 2015 and arrived in Egypt in October 2020. He previously tours in Korea and Afghanistan. Sherman’s decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
