Who was Rebecca Lobach? Friends and family grieve female Black Hawk pilot killed in DC crash

The third soldier to die in the collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and the Americal Airlines 5342 flight has been identified as 29-year-old Captain Rebecca Lobach, who served as an aviation officer (15A) in the regular Army from July 2019 to January 2025. The fatal collision, which killed 67 people, is said to be one of the biggest air tragedies in history.

According to a stateement from the Lobach family, as issued on the official US Army website:

Rebecca began her career in the United States Army as a distinguished military graduate in ROTC at the University of North Carolina, and was in the top 20% of cadets nationwide. She achieved the rank of Captain, having twice served as a Platoon Leader and as a Company Executive Officer in the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. With more than 450 hours of flight time, she earned certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.

In addition to her duties as an Army aviator, Rebecca also served as a White House Social Aide, the statement noted:

Rebecca was honored to serve as a White House Military Social Aide, volunteering to support the President and First Lady in hosting countless White House events, including ceremonies awarding the Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

---

Friends and family grieve Rebecca Lobach's death

Friends and family are mourning the tragic loss of Rebecca Lobach, who was among the victims of the midair collision near Washington, D.C.

Tributes have poured in on social media, with many expressing heartbreak and sharing cherished memories of Rebecca.

A friend who had escorted Ralph Lauren alongside Lobach, wrote on Instagram:

"Rest in Peace, CPT Rebecca Lobach. My friends who knew her said she was always super positive, radiated goodness, was an incredible person and a PT stud. Last month, CPT Lobach escorted fashion designer @RalphLauren at the White House when he received his Presidential Medal of Freedom. God bless."

Davis Winkle who graduated with her from University at North Carolina — Chapel Hill Army ROTC said she was a "brilliant and fearless" pilot. He wrote on X:

"Rebecca and I were in a training platoon together by coincidence during summer basic camp at Fort Knox in 2018. On “branch day,” when the cadets got to explore the different Army officer career paths, she and I were walking together through a field where a bunch of helicopters were parked."

He continued detailing their time together by sharing memories. Winkle continued:

"My dear readers: I am 6’6”, and Rebecca (a former college basketball player) is at least 5’8”. But I’ll be damned if we didn’t somehow stuff ourselves into that cockpit. My neck hurt, and I don’t think we would’ve been able to fly it very well, but we were both beaming in the selfie she took."

From her distinguished role as an Army aviator to her contributions as a White House Military Social Aide, Rebecca Lobach left an impact with whatever she did.