Gov. Beshear's Comments on Blackhawk Training Incident

Press Release

Gov. Andy Beshear delivered the following remarks today during a press conference at Fort Campbell on the crash involving two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) HH60 Blackhawk helicopters in Trigg County yesterday.

"Good morning. Today is a tough and tragic day for Kentucky, Fort Campbell and for the 101st. The nine individuals we lost are children of God. They will be mourned and missed by their families, by their communities.

"We are blessed to live in the freest country in the history of planet Earth. We must remember that freedom relies on those who are willing to serve, some of whom pay the ultimate price.

"We know a lot about loss in Kentucky, especially these last three years. We're going to do what we always do. We're going to wrap our arms around these families. We're going to be there with them -- not just for the days, but for the weeks and the months and the years to come. We're going to let them know that they are loved and they are special. If they will allow us to carry some of their grief, we will do that for as long as we can.

"My faith teaches me that while the body is mortal, the soul is eternal, and we will see them again.

"This morning, I talked to [Tennessee] Gov. Bill Lee, who expressed his grief for this loss and his similar commitment to these families. There are no state lines when it comes to taking care of these families and helping them with their grief.

"Finally, I also want to thank the first responders, who came from the entire region, there on the ground immediately after this incident, doing everything that they could. The first responders include the Kentucky State Police, Trigg County Emergency Management, Trigg and Christian County Sheriff's Offices, Trigg and Marshall County rescue squads, East Golden Pond and other Trigg County fire departments, Trigg County EMS and Christian County Emergency Management.

"Here in Kentucky, and I know in Tennessee, we love Fort Campbell. We love all of the people who live here and work here. They are a part of our community -- of who we are. Their loss today is our loss.

"We're going to stand with both those who are here today, and again we're going to make sure that these families know they're loved, they're not alone."

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