USASOC Soldiers killed in Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 03:50

http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20...091029-03.html

RELEASE NUMBER: 091029-03
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 29, 2009

Quote:

PRESS RELEASE: USASOC Soldiers killed in Helicopter Crash
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 29, 2009) — Seven U.S. Army Special Operations Command Soldiers died Oct. 26, 2009 in western Afghanistan.

All the Soldiers died as a result of injuries received when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter they were flying in crashed.

Two of the Soldiers were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Bragg, N.C. They are:

Sgt. 1st Class David E. Metzger, 32, native of San Diego, Calif., was a Special Forces communications sergeant.

Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop, 28, native of Smithtown, N.Y., was a Special Forces weapons sergeant.

Metzger is survived by his sons David and Grant, who reside in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is also survived by his parents David Metzger and Lisandra Holstein, as well as his grandmother Dolores of San Diego, Calif.

Bishop is survived by his wife Margaret of Flager Beach, Fla. and parents Robert and Suzan Bishop, of Carlisle Penn.

The remaining Soldiers were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) headquartered at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. They are:

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael P. Montgomery, 36, native of Redmond, Wash., was a pilot and electronic warfare officer.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Niall D. Lyons, 40, native of Spokane, Wash., was a pilot and tactical operations officer.

Staff Sgt. Shawn H. McNabb, 24, native of Terrell, Texas, was an emergency care sergeant.

Sgt. Josue E. Hernandez-Chavez, 23, native of Las Vegas, Nev., was a flight engineer.

Spc. Nickolas A. Mueller, 26, native of Little Chute, Wis., was a flight engineer.

Montgomery is survived by his wife and son, Anita and Riley Montgomery, of Savannah, Ga; and his mother, Mary Montgomery, of Redmond, Wash.

Lyons is survived by his son John of Dothan, Ala.; his parents, John and Nuala Lyons, of Spokane, Wash.; and his brother, Kevin Lyons, also of Spokane, Wash.

McNabb is survived by his parents, David and Ann McNabb, of Terrell, Texas.

Hernandez-Chavez is survived by his father, Pedro Hernandez; his mother, Eustolia Hernandez, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his two sisters, Cristina and Mayra Hernandez, both of Las Vegas, Nev.

Mueller is survived by his parents, Larry and Sharon Mueller, of Little Chute, Wis.

The incident is still under investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Names of the injured have not been released.
For further information, media should contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office during duty hours at 910-432-6005 or continue to visit this website (http://news.soc.mil) for updates.

--usasoc--

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 03:56

Sgt. 1st Class David E. Metzger, 32, died on Oct. 26 when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while conducting a combat mission in the Afghan city of Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 2009 as a member of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terror.
Metzger, born in San Diego, California, enlisted in September 1996 as an Ammunitions Specialist. He later attended the SF Qualification Course, graduating in 2007, as an 18E Special Forces Communications Sergeant and was assigned to 3rd BN, 7th SFG(A).

Metzger’s military education includes the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, SF Communications Sergeant Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Basic Airborne Course and Jumpmaster Course.
His awards and Decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal.

Metzger also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Metzger is survived by his sons, David and Grant, who reside in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is also survived by his parents David Metzger and Lisandra Holstein, as well as his grandmother Dolores of San Diego, Calif.

- DE OPPRESSO LIBER -

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 03:57

Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop, 28, died on Oct. 26, when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while conducting a combat mission in the Afghan city of Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the War on Terror.

Bishop a native of Smithtown, N.Y., enlisted into the U.S. Army in April 2003 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to 1st Bn., 506th Infantry Regiment, Camp Grieves, Korea. He later served with 1st Bn., 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division before deciding to pursue the goal of becoming a Special Forces Soldier in 2007 by attending the Special Forces Selection and Assessment. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course Oct. 2008 and earned the coveted “Green Beret” as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 7th SFG (A).

Bishop’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Bishop is survived by his wife Margaret of Flager Beach, Fla. and parents Robert and Suzan Bishop, of Carlisle Penn.

- DE OPPRESSO LIBER –

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 03:58

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael P. Montgomery, 36, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

Montgomery was a native of Redmond, Wash., and volunteered for Army service in October 1991. After serving four years in the Army National Guard as an enlisted Soldier, Montgomery was accepted into the Army Warrant Officer Program at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 1995. Upon graduation from flight school in 1996, Montgomery was assigned to 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment at Camp Murray, Wash., as an aviation life support equipment officer (ALSE) and instructor pilot. In 2003, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment as the ALSE and tactical operations officer. In October 2004, he was assigned to the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (WAATS) in Arizona as a senior instructor pilot and instrument flight examiner. After a successful assessment in 2006, Montgomery was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in Savannah, Ga., as an electronic warfare officer. Montgomery earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2002.
He was a combat veteran with seven deployments, two in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and five in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military training includes the Warrant Officer Candidate School, the Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course, the Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course, the Aviation Tactical Operations Course, U. S. Air Force Survival Service Training Course, the UH-60 Aviator Qualification Course, the OH-58 and CH-47 Instructor Pilot Courses, the Rotary Wing Instructor Flight Examiner course, the Aviation Safety Officers Course, the Warrant Officer Orientation Course, the Total Army Instructor Training Course and the Action Officer Development Course. Montgomery’s awards include the Air Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, four Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and Senior Aviator Badge.

Montgomery is survived by his wife and son, Anita and Riley Montgomery, of Savannah, Ga; and his mother, Mary Montgomery, of Redmond, Wash.

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 04:00

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Niall D. Lyons, 40, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

Lyons was a native of Spokane, Wash., and volunteered for Army service in October 1994. After serving three years in the Army as an enlisted Soldier, Lyons was accepted into the Army Warrant Officer Program at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 1998. Upon graduation from flight school in 1999, Lyons was assigned to 1st Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a tactical operations officer. In 2003, while stationed at Fort Rucker, he was assigned to 1-14th Aviation Battalion as an instructor pilot followed by an assignment with 1-145th Aviation Battalion as an Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course small group leader. In 2006, he was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment at Fort Drum, N.Y., as an instructor pilot and instrument examiner. After a successful assessment in 2009, Lyons was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in Savannah, Ga. Lyons earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography from Eastern Washington University in 1995.

He was a combat veteran with two deployments; one in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military training includes the Warrant Officer Candidate School, the Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course, the Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the CH-47 Aircraft Qualification Course, the OH-58D Warrior Instructor Pilot Course, the Rotary Wing Instrument Flight Examiner course, the Basic Instructor Training Course, the System Administrator Course, the Air Movement Operators Course.
Lyons’s awards include two Air Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and Senior Aviator Badge.

Montgomery is survived by his son John of Dothan, Ala.; his parents, John and Nuala Lyons; his brothers, Sean and Kevin Lyons; and his sister, Burnadette Buck, all of Spokane, Wash.

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 04:01

Staff Sgt. Shawn H. McNabb, 24, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

McNabb was a native of Terrell, Tex., and volunteered for Army service in July 2003. Following basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., and advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Tex., McNabb served with the 702nd Combat Support Medical Company at Camp Casey, South Korea, as a health care specialist. In October 2005 he was assigned to the 57th Air Medical Ambulance Company at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a flight medic. In 2008 he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as an emergency care sergeant. McNabb arrived to 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR (A), in Savannah, Ga., in July 2008.

He was a combat veteran with five deployments, all in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

His military training includes the Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Training Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Operations Combat Medic Course, the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course, Advance Trauma Life Support Course, the Flight Medic Course, the Emergency Medical Technician Ambulance Course, and Airborne School. McNabb’s awards include the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Basic Aviation Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

McNabb is survived by his parents, David and Ann McNabb, of Terrell, Tex.

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 04:02

Sgt. Josue E. Hernandez-Chavez, 23, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

Hernandez-Chavez was a native of Las Vegas, Nev., and volunteered for Army service in February 2005. Following basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., Hernandez-Chavez successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a medium helicopter repairer and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR (A), at Savannah, Ga. In August 2006 Hernandez-Chavez was re-designated as a flight engineer.

He was a combat veteran with six deployments, all in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

His military training includes the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Training Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Aviation Life Support Supervisors Course, the Field Sanitation Team Certification Course, and Airborne School. Hernandez-Chavez’s awards include two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Basic Aviation Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Hernandez-Chavez is survived by his father, Pedro Hernandez; his mother, Eustolia Hernandez, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his two sisters, Cristina and Mayra Hernandez, both of Las Vegas, Nev.

**Dan** · 10-30-2009, 04:03

Sgt. Nickolas A. Mueller, 26, died Oct. 26, 2009, when his MH-47 helicopter crashed while conducting military operations in western Afghanistan.

Mueller was a native of Little Chute, Wis., and volunteered for Army service in June 2004. Following basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., Mueller served with the 2-52nd Aviation Battalion at Camp Humphries, South Korea, as a medium helicopter repairer. In 2007 he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR (A), in Savannah, Ga., where he served as a flight engineer.

He was a combat veteran with three deployments, all in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military training includes the Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Training Course, and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course. Mueller’s awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge.

Mueller is survived by his parents, Larry and Sharon Mueller, of Little Chute, Wis.