116th Cavalry Soldier Dies in Tank Rollover in California Desert

M-1 Abrams MBT (photo: Wikipedia)

Ft. Irwin, CA (670 KBOI News) – Wartime or peacetime, it’s never been totally safe to be a soldier or airman.

A soldier with the 116th Cavalry Brigade is dead after an accident at the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, California.

Idaho National Guard Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Borders says it happened Tuesday night, when a tank rolled over.

“He belonged to an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank crew, from the Nevada Army National Guard’s 1/221st Cavalry Regiment,” said Borders.  “It’s a tremendous loss to both the Idaho and Nevada National Guard, and most importantly the family, the friends and the loved ones of this soldier.”

The other three tank crew members are said to be in stable condition at Weed Army Hospital at Ft. Irwin.

The soldier’s name is not being released yet, so the Army can notify his family.

— Jay Howell, 670 KBOI News