Was Blackhawk pilot Rebecca Lobach's name kept secret for a reason? Here's what we know

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Rebecca Lobach, the third pilot involved in the Blackhawk helicopter crash with an American Airlines plane, had her identity withheld due to her family’s request. The crash, which resulted in no survivors, is under investigation. Conservative commentators claimed that her identity was withheld initially because her family was erasing her social media history.

The name of Rebecca Lobach, the third pilot of the military Blackhawk that crashed with an American Airlines plane, was not released until yesterday while the identities of the other two pilots were revealed earlier. There was no survivor in the deadly crash as the remnants of both aircraft fell onto the frozen Potomac River. The reason of the unusual mid-air crash is still unknown while minutes before the crash the military helicopter was warned about the passenger plane.

After President Donald Trump blamed the DEI (diversity, equity, inclusivity) hiring policy (of the military) behind the mishap, the Blackhawk pilots came on the radar.

Social media users claimed that Rebecca Lobach’s identity was withheld because her social media accounts were being deleted. “They deleted Rebecca Lobach’s social media accounts before releasing her name. It wasn’t to grieve,” one wrote. “They didn’t withhold Rebecca Lobach’s name to “grieve”, they kept it secret while they scrubbed her social media,” another wrote.

Right-wing commentator and conspiracy theorist Laura Lommer said Rebecca Lobach was a Biden aide who attended Pride events. “So yes, DEI was very much involved in this crash. Trump was right,” Loomer wrote hinting that Lobach was a lesbian.

“PART TIME Blackhawk pilot, Capt. Rebecca Lobach, was the name being withheld. While her family COMPLETELY scrubbed her social media accounts. Anti Trump, Biden WH team member,” another wrote.

A native of Durham, North Carolina, Capt Rebecca Lobach had been in the top 20 per cent of Army Officer Training Corps cadets and was also picked for a role as a White House social aide.

Lobach began her career as an aviation officer in July 2019. “She achieved the rank of Captain, having twice served as a Platoon Leader and as a Company Executive Officer in the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. With more than 450 hours of flight time, she earned certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion,” the Lobach family said in a statement.

Was her name kept a secret?

Yes, the Army did not reveal her name at the request of her family. But as the name was revealed late Saturday, the Army said the decision came in coordination with the family.

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