Army General to Lead Chinook Crash Investigation

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2011 – Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Colt will conduct the investigation of the crash of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan that killed 38 U.S. and Afghan service members, U.S. Central Command officials announced today.

Colt, deputy commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, will begin his duties immediately. Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, the Central Command commander, appointed Colt.

Officials in Afghanistan believe a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade shot down the Chinook as it brought 25 Navy and Air Force special operations personnel to an Aug. 6 firefight in eastern Afghanistan’s Wardak province. It was the deadliest single incident in the decade-long war in the country.

Central Command officials would not discuss the parameters or scope of Colt’s investigation.

Before arriving at Fort Campbell, Ky., Colt served as commander of the Joint Unmanned Aircraft Center of Excellence in Indian Springs Airfield, Nev. Colt is an Army aviator who served with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and both 101st Airborne Division aviation brigades.