A Durham native and UNC-Chapel Hill graduate was the last of three soldiers to be identified after their helicopter crashed into a passenger jet near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The collision also claimed the lives of 64 people on the airliner.

Also Read: Kanye West Wife Appeared Naked At 2025 Grammy: Did West Force His Wife?

Initial Identification and Background

The Army identified two of the soldiers on Friday but initially withheld the name of 28-year-old Captain Rebecca Lobach at her parents’ request. With their approval, her name was released over the weekend.

Lobach began her college studies at Sewanee, the University of the South in Tennessee, where she played basketball. She later transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill, which placed her two years behind most of her ROTC peers.

However, she quickly caught up, according to Jasmine Johnson, a friend and study partner. Johnson said:

“She came in and hit the ground running and absolutely excelled.“

She added further that aviation is a coveted branch and one that a lot of people fight for, but Lobach excelled so quickly. S joined her junior year, and she quickly rose to the top of our class, and then became a distinguished military graduate, among the top 20% in the country.

Johnson, an Apache attack helicopter pilot with the North Carolina National Guard, said Lobach was always driven to excel. She added that Lobach had a deep passion for flying.

Her companion also revealed that she like most aviators love challanges. Johnson revealed that:

“She wanted to be a part of that culture, to be in combat arms and serve her country, to be in the fight and also be a good leader, and she was absolutely over the moon about what she did.”

Johnson also said that she is pround to know Rebecca Lobach.. She highlighted how Lobach had a way of making people feel heard and valued and that it transcended through their friendship and into the embodiment of an army leader.

She also admiried her for her motivation and how she was driven to motivate others. Johnson added:

“She came into the program and all of a sudden, she’s outperforming everyone, and so she was definitely a friendly motivation and just a delight to be around.”

Rebecca Lobach Parents Heartfelt Tributes

Lobach had been an Army aviation officer since 2019 and also served as a military social aide at the White House during the Biden administration. Rebecca Lobach parents shared that her White House duties included assisting at events like the Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremonies.

Read More About: Bianca Censori Parents: Confused About Their Daughter’s Marriage With Kanye West

Rebecca is also became a certified victim advocate for the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program. This work influenced her future goals and she aspired to become a doctor after completing her military service.

Rebecca Lobach parents revealed:

“She once said, ‘My experiences with SHARP have reinforced my resolve to serve others with compassion, understanding, and the resources necessary for healing.“

Her family recalled her describing herself as many things—a devoted daughter, sister, partner, and friend. They wrote that she was also a servant, caregiver, and advocate. Above all, she loved deeply and was deeply loved. Her parent was sad for her short life but they were glad that she left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

They also expressed their heartbreak for the other families who lost loved ones in this national tragedy, saying they grieve alongside them.

The Tragic Accident and Ongoing Investigation

The accident claimed the lives of 67 people, including Lobach’s fellow Black Hawk pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, and crew member Staff Sergeant Ryan O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia.

The cause of the accident is not clear yet. However, the investigation is ongoing. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speculate that the helicopter flew too high. This could be one of the reasons that put it in the path of the airliner preparing to land at Reagan National Airport.

Up Next: Joni Mitchell Illness: A Look at Her Health Struggles and Resilience