The Loss of Four 16th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers Hits Especially Hard in University Place

When a University Place lost part of its family.

The 16^th CAB is the city’s partner brigade in JBLM’s “Community Connections” program, one of the base’s official efforts to connect with its surrounding communities. Each city positioned around the base is assigned a partnering brigade, which works and volunteers in their communities throughout the year.

It was just last week that the city held a reception for members of the 16^th CAB and their spouses. They chatted, both about the military and beyond. They introduced family members. They got a sense that, in fact, they were part of the UP family.

That’s why Monday’s crash – – hit especially hard in UP, according to Mayor Debbie Klosowski.

“We were shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic loss of life, particularly because of the partnership,” the mayor told Patch today. “We consider the 16^th CAB part of our family, and we want to do whatever we can to help.”

And the city’s commitment is going beyond words of solace. Klosowski is asking residents, business owners and anyone else in the community to drop off cards of condolences at by 5 p.m., Dec. 21, and those cards will be given to the brigade and the soldiers' families.

Also, Klosowski says, the city will be accepting donations of gift cards that can be used at businesses in the South Sound for the families of the four soldiers who died in the crash.

Here is a statement that the City of University Place released today:

The City of University Place is grieving the untimely death of four aviators from the Combat Aviation Brigade (16^th CAB).

The tragic helicopter crash on Monday at Joint Base Lewis McCord (JBLM) has struck a particularly personal chord with the U.P. community. Just five days before the accident, University Place rolled out the red carpet to welcome the command staff and their spouses from the 16^th Combat Aviation Brigade at a holiday reception in the new Civic Building. The 16^th CAB, recently located from Alaska to JBLM, had been designated as the Community Connector Partner for University Place and its soldiers had recently worked alongside U.P. citizens on several community projects, including Playground by the Sound. 

“We are extremely saddened by this terrible tragedy and send our heartfelt sympathy to the families and members of the 16^th CAB,” stated Mayor Debbie Klosowski. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to our JBLM family. We grieve with them over this loss and are encouraging businesses and residents to support them through this difficult time.”

University Place residents are encouraged to bring messages of condolence and sympathy along with gift cards for local goods and services to U.P. City Hall (3715 Bridgeport Way West) by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21^st. Donations from the community will then be delivered to the 16^th CAB.