WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has identified Captain Rebecca M. Lobach as one of the three soldiers who lost their lives in a tragic midair collision involving a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet this past Wednesday. Friends and fellow service members described Lobach as “brilliant and fearless,” noting her meticulousness in all her endeavors.
Based in Durham, North Carolina, Lobach was among the 67 fatalities from the incident near Reagan National Airport in the D.C. area. The collision resulted in the deaths of all 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft.
Lobach joined the Army as an aviation officer in July 2019 after graduating from the University of North Carolina with honors, ranking in the top 20% of ROTC cadets nationwide. Throughout her service, she received an Army commendation medal and an achievement medal, reflecting her significant contributions to the military.
Recently, she had the honor of accompanying renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren during a ceremony at the White House, where he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Davis Winkie, a journalist who trained alongside Lobach in the ROTC program at North Carolina, shared memories of their time together. Winkie described Lobach as a talented aviator and an exceptional friend, emphasizing her dedication to physical training.
Her family communicated that Lobach had accrued over 450 flight hours and had been certified as a pilot-in-command after undergoing rigorous evaluations by experienced pilots from her battalion. The Army released the identities of two other soldiers involved in the crash: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, aged 28, from Lilburn, Georgia, who served as the crew chief, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, from Great Mills, Maryland, who was also a pilot.
Another friend, Sabrina Bell, remarked on Lobach’s thoroughness, highlighting that she approached every task with complete dedication and care. According to her family, Lobach was a certified advocate for victims of sexual harassment and assault, expressing aspirations of becoming a physician after her military tenure.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. A shining light in our lives, she embodied kindness, intelligence, humor, ambition, and strength. No one set their sights higher or worked harder to achieve their dreams,” the family’s statement read. They also requested privacy as they navigate this painful time.
In the aftermath of the crash, comments from President Donald Trump suggested that the helicopter may have been flying at an inappropriate altitude, leading to speculation about pilot errors. His remarks, coupled with his comments on diversity initiatives within the air traffic control community, fueled controversies and debates on social media surrounding the diversity of the helicopter crew, although there has been no evidence to support claims that these initiatives influenced the incident.
Bilal Kordab, a former military recruiter, spoke of Lobach’s character, emphasizing her kindness, intelligence, and commitment to excellence. Prior to her enrollment at the University of North Carolina, Lobach was also a Division III college basketball player at the University of The South.
Winkie recalled how he and Lobach bonded over their late arrivals to the ROTC program and shared a lighthearted moment at Fort Knox when they tried to fit into a small MH-6 Little Bird helicopter. The experience highlighted their playful spirits, which was evident even in the selfie they took together. Following the incident, Winkie texted Lobach to check in, unaware until the day after that his message never reached her.
