FORT RUCKER, Ala. – A Fort Rucker Soldier, going through the Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS), was found deceased this morning after missing a routine land navigation training event yesterday. The soldier, a male warrant officer candidate, started a three-hour land navigation course at approximately 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. When he did not report at the checkpoint a search party was organized. The search continued throughout the day, using all assets available to include using OH-58 and Apache helicopters to search by air until grounded by weather. A team of soldiers, first responders and EMS personnel continued the search by ground. At approximately 7 p.m. the Houston County Sheriff’s Office brought in blood hounds that searched until 10 p.m. The search continued through the night and at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, approximately 100 more soldiers were added to the search team. That team found the missing soldier at approximately 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, deceased. The soldier’s name is being withheld until next of kin have been notified. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, a tenant unit at Fort Rucker has deployed a Centralized Accident Investigation team to lead the inquiry into the Soldier’s death. The CAI team is comprised of experts in safety, maintenance, operations and training. Its mission is to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and make recommendations to prevent future incidents. The investigation report will be used within the Department of Defense for incident prevention purposes only. Fort Rucker officials are also investigating the incident. The cause of death is currently unknown pending an autopsy; however, no foul play is expected. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:23:23 +0000
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