WASHINGTON, DC - The Air Force has identified two airmen killed in the Feb. 22 Army helicopter
crash in the Philippines.
MSgt. William L. McDaniel II, Superintendent, Special Tactics Pararescue Flight and SSgt. Juan
M. Ridout, Special Tactics Pararescueman. Both were assigned to the 320th Special Tactics
Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
MSgt. McDaniel is from Greenville, Ohio and joined the Air Force in 1984. SSgt. Ridout is from
Maple Tree, Wash. and joined the Air Force in 1995.
Brig Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of Joint Task Force 510 in the Philippines announced the
end of search and rescue operations in the crash of the helicopter and the start of search and
recovery operations on Feb 24. "Based on our best assessment and the extensive efforts by the
Philippine and U.S. Search and Rescue teams, we have determined that there is no chance that
we will find survivors."
The two airmen were on board an Army MH-47 helicopter along with eight Army soldiers. The
helicopter crashed while enroute from Basilan Island to Mactan, Philippines approximately 150
miles northeast of Zamboanga City. The helicopter was operating in support of U.S. efforts to
train and advise the Armed Forces of the Philippines in their efforts against global terrorism.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. For more information contact Air Force Special
Operations Command Public Affairs at (850) 884-5515.
crash in the Philippines.
MSgt. William L. McDaniel II, Superintendent, Special Tactics Pararescue Flight and SSgt. Juan
M. Ridout, Special Tactics Pararescueman. Both were assigned to the 320th Special Tactics
Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
MSgt. McDaniel is from Greenville, Ohio and joined the Air Force in 1984. SSgt. Ridout is from
Maple Tree, Wash. and joined the Air Force in 1995.
Brig Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of Joint Task Force 510 in the Philippines announced the
end of search and rescue operations in the crash of the helicopter and the start of search and
recovery operations on Feb 24. "Based on our best assessment and the extensive efforts by the
Philippine and U.S. Search and Rescue teams, we have determined that there is no chance that
we will find survivors."
The two airmen were on board an Army MH-47 helicopter along with eight Army soldiers. The
helicopter crashed while enroute from Basilan Island to Mactan, Philippines approximately 150
miles northeast of Zamboanga City. The helicopter was operating in support of U.S. efforts to
train and advise the Armed Forces of the Philippines in their efforts against global terrorism.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. For more information contact Air Force Special
Operations Command Public Affairs at (850) 884-5515.
| Air Force identifies 2 airmen killed in Philippine Army helicopter crash |