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HomeNewsFort Campbell identifies Two 101st Airborne Division pilots killed in helicopter crash

Fort Campbell identifies Two 101st Airborne Division pilots killed in helicopter crash

Fort Campbell KY - 101st Airborne DivisionFort Campbell, KY – Two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) pilots who were killed December 2nd as a result of a helicopter crash near Fort Campbell have been identified.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alex Caraballoleon, 35, a native of Patillas, Puerto Rico, enlisted in the Army in 2003 as an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter mechanic. During his six years as an enlisted Soldier, Caraballoleon served in numerous assignments, achieving the rank of sergeant, before being selected to attend the Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2009.

Following commissioning as a warrant officer and completion of the Rotary Wing Aviators Course, he served as an Apache attack helicopter pilot with Company B, 1st Battalion, and 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

CW2 Alex Caraballoleon and CW2 Kevin M. Weiss

Caraballoleon has deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His military education includes the Warrant Officer Candidate Course, Warrant Officer Aviation Basic and Advanced Courses, the AH-64D Apache Aviators Qualifications Course, and the Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape – High Risk course.

His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge and numerous campaign and service awards.

Caraballoleon is survived by his wife and two children.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin M. Weiss, 32, a native of McHenry, Illinois, enlisted in the Army in 2003 and served as a psychological operations specialist. During his eight years as enlisted Soldier, Weiss served in numerous assignments throughout Army achieving the rank of staff sergeant before being selected to attend the Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2011.

Following his commissioning as a warrant officer and completion of the Rotary Wing Aviators Course, Weiss served as an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter pilot with Company C, 3rd Battalion, and Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

Weiss deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, in 2014.

His military education includes the Warrant Officer Candidate and Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Courses, the AH-64D Apache Aviators Qualifications Course, and Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape – High Risk course.

His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault and Basic Parachutist Badges, Ranger tab and numerous campaign and service awards.

Weiss is survived by his wife and three children.

The crewmembers were flying an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter during a routine training mission when their helicopter crashed 12 miles south of Fort Campbell in Montgomery County, Tennessee. The cause of the accident is undetermined at this time and is currently under investigation by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center based out of Fort Rucker, Alabama.

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