Parents grieve Cape Coral soldier killed in Kentucky Blackhawk crash

Parents are grieving after their son died doing what he loved, serving his country. 32-year-old Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, of Cape Coral, Florida was among nine soldiers killed in a helicopter crash near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on Wednesday.

The crash happened during a nighttime training exercise.

Healy’s parents knew there was a risk when their son was overseas but didn’t think anything like this could happen at home.

Aaron Healy’s mother said she got a call early Thursday morning that her son was killed during a training exercise. She didn’t think what she was hearing was real, so she texted his phone, but she never heard back.

On Friday night, they fought through their grief to share with WINK what kind of person the world lost.

“Military has lost a good soldier. A wife has lost a good husband. His children lost a good father. I’ve lost a good son… Excellent son,” said Michael Healy, Aaron’s father.

Aaron Healy enlisted in the Army 13 years ago, serving multiple tours overseas in Afghanistan. It wasn’t until his last tour that he discovered his passion.

“He went to Kabul the second time, and he was a door gunner… In a helicopter. And that’s, I think, when he decided he wanted to be a pilot,” said Vicki Healy, Aaron’s mother.

Healy was accepted into pilot school, graduating last October. He was a Blackhawk pilot in the 101st Airborne Division.

“He was really happy about it. I remember him calling me, and he said, ‘mom, I can’t believe they’re paying me to learn how to fly helicopters,'” said Vicki Healy.

His passion also extended to his family. The 32-year-old was married and had two daughters, 10 and 12.

Vicki: “Every weekend, they’d do something, you know, family… Go to the park,”
Michael: “Go hiking.”
Vicki: “Yeah, always doing something.”
Michael: “With family… He was a good guy.”

Aaron’s parents say he was planning on serving at least 20 years in the Army before retiring, and knowing he had plans with his family for the future is devastating.

“He turned out to be such a good guy. He was very honest, even-handed, mild-mannered, loved his children, loved his wife, loved his family, loved his country. He was the perfect soldier and father and husband,” said Michael Healy.

Aaron Healy grew up in Cape Coral and attended Ida Baker High School.

His parents say the last time they saw him was when he came here after Hurricane Ian to help tear drywall from their heavily damaged home.

They never thought that would be the last time they’d see their son.

An Army aviation safety team is at the site of the helicopter crash investigating what happened.