Names of CV-22 Osprey airmen released

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (WALA) - It’s Flag Day, so it makes sense for all eyes to be on a military base, as there’s a whole host of spar spangled banners gracing the grounds.

But Thursday, the attention was on Hurlburt Field for a different reason.

Just before 7 p.m. Wednesday night, a CV-22, and the five-man crew aboard her, went down north of Navarre on the Eglin Air Force Base Range during a training exercise.

In Northwest Florida, where many have lived with or leaned on a military member at some point in their life, the news was shocking.

"(I was) scared; scared for their families, scared for what they were all going through and praying to God that everybody was safe," said local Linda Thompson.  "It hits home. I had a son in Iraq, and you just pray for all of them that are serving now.”

Officials say two of the crew members were taken from the scene by ambulance, while the other three were transported by air.

Colonel Jim Slife , the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, took to the podium Thursday morning to address the media.  He brought some good news with him; no one on-board suffered life threatening injuries.

Major Brian Luce, one of the pilots, was transported to Eglin Air Force Base hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Captain Brett Cassidy, the second pilot, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he is listed in stable condition.

Staff Sgt. Sean McMahon, flight engineer, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he is listed in guarded condition.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Dawson, flight engineer, was transported to Eglin Air Force Base hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Tech. Sgt. Edilberto Malave, flight engineer, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he is listed in stable condition.

“Supporting our families at home is a critical component of defending our nation abroad,” said Col. Slife.  "Right now, our efforts are focused on doing all we can to support our injured Airmen and their families.”

Base officials stress that the accident site may contain hazardous materials released from the crash, and ask that individuals refrain from entering the area.

"At this time, we can't speculate on the cause of the crash" said Col. Slife.  "A board of officials is investigating the accident and no information regarding the cause of the mishap will be available until after the investigation is complete. However, at this time, we have no reason to suspect any fundamental design flaws in the CV-22 aircraft, and we don't intend to cease CV-22 operations."

According to the Air Force, a CV-22 Osprey crashed in southern Afghanistan in April of 2010, killing three service members, one civilian employee and injuring numerous other military members.

About the CV-22 Osprey

According to the Air Force website, the CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Its mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

The first operational CV-22 was delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command's 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., in January 2007. Initial operational capability was achieved in 2009.