A Massachusetts native is one of five United States Army soldiers who died in a helicopter crash Thursday in Egypt.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marwan S. Ghabour, a 27-year-old from Marlborough, and the other soldiers were part of peacekeeping operations with the Multinational Force and Observers mission, according to the Army.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed on Tirian Island in Sinai, Egypt, because of a mechanical malfunction, according to officials. The crash remains under investigation.
A U.S. Army public affairs officer tells WCVB that Ghabour was a Black Hawk pilot who was assigned to the Aviation Company of Task Force Sinai.
Ghabour, who is originally from Arlington, Massachusetts, was commissioned as a warrant officer in 2018. He arrived in Egypt in January 2020, marking his first overseas assignment.
The public affairs officers says Ghabour’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Aviation Badge.
Three members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation — Rep. Lori Trahan, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey — issued the following statement in response to Ghabour’s death:
“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Chief Warrant Officer Marwan Sameh Ghabour’s passing. … His passing is a stark reminder of the risk each of our servicemembers take in protecting our nation and promoting peace around the globe. We offer our condolences to his family, friends and fellow servicemember in this time of pain. Our officers are here as a resource for them.”
The other soldiers who died in the crash were identified as Capt. Seth V. Vandekamp, a 31-year-old from Katy, Texas; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dallas G. Garza, a 34-year-old from Fayetteville, North Carolina; Staff Sgt. Kyle R. McKee, a 35-year-old from Painesville, Ohio; and Sgt. Jeremy C. Sherman, a 23-year-old from Watseka, Illinois.
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn this tragic loss of life,” said Col. David S. Sentell, commander of Task Force Sinai. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of our fallen during this most difficult time. They should know that their nation will continue to honor their sacrifice.”
One U.S. service member was also injured in the crash, but has not been identified, according to the Navy Times.
A French and Czech service member were also killed in the crash, officials told Navy Times.
The Multinational Force and Observers is a multinational peacekeeping mission that was established in 1981 to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace.
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