Soldier from Sanibel among four killed in helicopter crash
Update:
Rep. Byron Donalds has added his condolences.
“Last week, our nation lost four heroes. Among the fallen was Army Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Kraus of Sanibel. Erika and I join the entirety of our Southwest Florida community in praying for the strength of the Kraus family. May Andrew’s lasting legacy of service, sacrifice, and patriotism be a blessing to us all.”
Update:
The city of Sanibel has issued a statement in the wake of the death of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Kraus, who was among four soldiers killed in a helicopter crash while on a training mission:
“The City of Sanibel is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Kraus, 39, a decorated U.S. Army aviator.
“Andrew was one of four soldiers tragically killed on September 17, 2025, in a helicopter crash during a training mission in Washington state. He was serving proudly with the U.S. Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the ‘Night Stalkers.’
“Andrew’s path of service began with the U.S. Marine Corps before he answered the call to aviation with the Army. Over the years, his courage, skill, and leadership earned him the respect of his fellow soldiers and the admiration of those who knew him. His career took him across the world in service to others.
“Andrew’s life was marked by devotion to his country, to his brothers and sisters in uniform, and to his family and friends. He will be remembered not only as a decorated pilot, but as a kind and genuine man whose presence brought warmth to every room.
“Our community mourns the loss of Andrew with profound sorrow,” said Mayor Mike Miller. “Sanibel will remember him as one of our own. His sacrifice is a reminder of the extraordinary courage of those who serve, and our hearts are with his loved ones during this time of unimaginable grief.”
“The City of Sanibel invites residents to keep the Kraus family in their thoughts and prayers.”
Original post:
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A Sanibel man was among four soldiers killed when an Army helicopter crashed near a base in Washington state on Wednesday.
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Kraus, 39, of Sanibel, was among the dead, the Army announced on Monday.
Also among the dead were Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Cully, Sgt. Donavon Scott and Sgt. Jadalyn Good, the Army said Monday in a release.
Cully, 35, was from Sparta, Missouri. Scott, 25, was from Tacoma, Washington, and Good, 23, was from Mount Vernon, Washington.
The helicopter was on a routine flight training west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
The base is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Tacoma under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Joint Base Headquarters.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The skies in the area were mostly clear with light winds from the south around the time of the crash, according to the National Weather Service.
The soldiers “embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations,” Col. Stephen Smith said in the release.
They were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, an elite team that does nighttime missions, when their MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed about 9 p.m.
The regiment’s mission is to organize, equip and employ Army special operations aviation forces around the world, according to the Army’s website.
“Known as Night Stalkers, these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations,” the website said. “They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision.”
This was the second deadly crash of this elite unit in recent years.
Five Army aviation special operations forces were killed when a helicopter crashed in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2023 during a routine air refueling mission as part of military training. They were all part of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
In March 2024, two soldiers from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord SOAR unit were hospitalized when their Apache helicopter crashed at the base during a routine training exercise.