Fla. sailor killed in helo inspection

Helicopter Aircrewman 1st Class Jonathan Richard Clement of Florida was killed July 30 after an auxiliary fuel tank fell from an HH-60H helicopter that he and another sailor were inspecting aboard Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., a spokesman for Commander Naval Air Forces told USNI News. Clement, who had served with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 since July 2017, was performing a “quick post-flight inspection,” said Cmdr. Ron Flanders. At around 6:30 p.m., Clement and another sailor were injured when the auxiliary tank detached from the HH-60H. The sailors were taken to a nearby hospital. Clement was taken off life support on July 31. The other sailor, who was not identified, sustained minor injuries and was released the same day. The Navy is conducting a comprehensive safety investigation. The mishap was first reported by Military.com. The Navy did not issue a notice or media release about the incident, citing an obligation only to announce combat-related casualties. Clement was the 11th sailor or Marine to have died in 2018 in a work-related mishap or combat, according to USNI News records. The “Firehawks” of HSC 85 is a reserve squadron that supports special operations missions. In 2011, HSC 85 transitioned from a logistics role to supporting Naval Special Warfare personnel. It is the only squadron solely dedicated to that mission. (USNI News 08/07/18)