Navy lost ‘exceptional teammate’ in helicopter’s hard landing at Fort Story, admiral says
The Naval Special Warfare Command on Wednesday identified a 35-year-old sailor killed after a military helicopter made a “hard landing” last week at Fort Story in Virginia Beach.
The helicopter was conducting routine training about 4:15 p.m. Thursday when the landing occurred, Capt. Sarah Self-Kyler, spokesperson for Fleet Forces told The Virginian-Pilot at the time.
Three service members were taken to a hospital for treatment. One died at a hospital Monday afternoon, according to a news release from Naval Special Warfare Command.
Ryan DeKorte was on the ground when the helicopter hard landed nearby, the Associated Press reported. Hard landings differ from crashes in that in a hard landing the pilot maintains at least partial control of the aircraft, whereas a crash is uncontrolled.
DeKorte, originally from Lubbock, Texas, joined the Navy in 2014, the release said. He served aboard the USS Jason Dunham before he was assigned to Naval Special Warfare in 2020.
DeKorte, an electronics technician 1st Class, was an “exceptional teammate,” said Rear Admiral H.W. Howard in a statement.
“Ryan was one of our premiere combat support technicians, who possessed all the attributes that make our force combat ready for highly complex and high-risk missions in the Nation’s defense,” Howard said. “His humility, stewardship and commitment to Naval Special Warfare made an indelible mark on his teammates and our community.”
A U.S. Fleet Forces spokesperson would not say what military branch the helicopter was affiliated with, and authorities have not released further details about the incident. An investigation is ongoing.
Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
Ali Sullivan, 757-677-1974, ali.sullivan@virginiamedia.com
