Trans Black Hawk pilot falsely named in DC crash clears air, but raises more questions

A transgender military pilot who was widely thought to be one of the pilots on the U.S. Black Hawk helicopter that crashed midair over the Potomac River is clearing the air, and simultaneously raising more questions.

Helicopter pilot Jo Ellis took to Facebook to squash the rumors and asked followers to report anyone who is spreading them. Ellis is a Chief Warrant Officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot who has served in the Virginia National Guard for 15 years and began transitioning in 2023 while serving in the Army and received “overwhelming support”, Newsweek reported.

“Some craziness has happened on the internet and I’m being named as one of the pilots of the DC crash,” Ellis stated in the video released Friday.

“Please report any accounts or posts you see. It’s insulting to the victims and families of those lost and they deserve better than this BS from the bots and trolls of the internet.”

The issue of transgender members of the military has become a hot button issue after President Donald Trump’s crackdown via executive order. The EO, in part, states that trans members will no longer be able to serve openly or receive transition-related care through military health programs.

Pushback against transgender military members centers largely around both physical and mental health issues which could impede their performance. While it’s understandable why Ellis is upset about being misidentified as the pilot of the crashed Black Hawk, Ellis continued to raise questions and controversy over the issue of transgenders in the military.

Good question.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, of Mississippi, was identified as one of the Black Hawk pilots killed in the crash. Two more soldiers who were on board remain unidentified pending an investigation.

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