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| 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. |
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| Air Force identifies 2 airmen killed in Philippine Army helicopter crash |