BALTIMORE (AP) - The mother of a soldier from Maryland killed in a crash involving a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter says her daughter wanted to be a pilot when she graduated from West Point.
Lynn Knutson said Sunday that her daughter, Capt. Sara Knutson (Cullen), made it clear that she didn't join the Army to sit behind a desk. The captain and four other soldiers were killed March 11 when their helicopter crashed during a training mission in Afghanistan. All five soldiers were assigned to Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Ga.
The others were identified as Staff Sgt. Steven P. Blass of Estherville, Iowa, Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Henderson of Franklin, La., Staff Sgt. Marc A. Scialdo of Naples, Fla., and Spc. Zachary L. Shannon of Dunedin, Fla.
Military officials have said no enemy attacks were reported at the time.
Lynn Knutson says her daughter was fun-loving and enjoyed camping, snowboarding and judo. She also liked to sing and dance.
She says her daughter had previously been deployed to Pakistan on a humanitarian mission, flying helicopters to help flood victims.
A ceremony is planned at Fort Stewart in April to honor the soldiers.
The cause of the crash is being investigated.
