Mackenzie Wilson, 19, was in Idaho at the end of June. She spoke with Jessica Swan, her mother, over the phone.
Swan stated, “The last thing she had said was that safety on base was a’super-sketch’.”
Wilson recently completed her freshman year at Oregon State University. She was studying biochemistry and molecular biology. Additionally, she was in Air Force ROTC which prepares college students for military service. The military flew her to Eagle River, where she completed a one-week professional development program.
Swan assumed her daughter would soon be home and could then explain in person what was unclear.
She said, “And then she died.”
Wilson recalls exactly the moment she found out her daughter had died. An Air Force officer knocked at her door and sat down to deliver a “I regretto inform you” letter. They informed her that details of what had happened were not yet available, but would.
A few days later, the Air Force Base announced that Wilson had died in a Humvee crash during a training event.
Swan stated that six months has passed and she still has many questions about the events and who was responsible. She is sad, frustrated, and angry. She shared her story because she believes the military should have an explanation. She fears that the death will be interpreted as another tragic training accident.
The University of Minnesota student driving the vehicle is being prosecuted in Idaho for manslaughter. Swan wants to know why a 28-year old teenager was allowed to drive a tactical vehicle. Why is it that her daughter’s travel paperwork states that this trip was not intended for training?
She stated that she believed her daughter would be job shadowing in Idaho for a week and not do anything dangerous.
Swan stated, “We’re just…we’re just completely broken.” “So far there has been no accountability. We are just trying to survive by muddling along.
Swan claimed that she has been trying to get information from authorities. Swan has been on leave from her teaching job. She keeps a list of Idaho Air Force officials and officials she has spoken to, along with dates, phone numbers, and what they said.
She said, “It’s always been me reaching out and following up with them.” “It’s dealing with military, Department of Defense. It’s now six-and-a-half months. I’m still trying for information, and that’s excruciating.
Air Force officials sent an email statement, but they declined to speak with us for this story.
Marilyn Holliday, public affairs officer for the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command wrote that “The Air Force has a deep obligation to find the facts of any accident to determine what can and should be done to prevent similar outcomes in the future in similar circumstances and circumstances.” “The Air Force is committed to the safety and well-being and every Airman. We will continuously evaluate our training methods to ensure that we provide the best training environment.
They didn’t answer questions about the timeline of their investigation, the selection of cadets for the event, the activities of the cadets that week, and non-combat Humvee incidents generally. Wilson’s participation in the Humvee accident has not been explained by the Air Force.
Swan stated that U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan’s Office has been helping Swan get information. This includes an Idaho State Police collision report. According to the report, Wilson was riding shotgun in the Humvee as one of three passengers on June 24, 2013. All were 19 years old.
Cole Harcey is identified by the police report. Swan believes he was another ROTC student, but the Air Force would not confirm this. His attorney declined comment.
According to the report, the accident occurred on a service road within a base bombing range on a clear and dry morning. The gravel road was straight, level and had a speed limit of 15 mph. According to police reports, the Humvee was simply going too fast. The Humvee lost control and went off the road, rolling over. Wilson was partially ejected, but he died under the Humvee.
The driver was the only one wearing a seatbelt. Both he and the passenger were taken to the hospital and released two days later.
Swan’s Eagle River living room has shelves and a table adorned with artifacts from a tragic life. Wilson, in her blue Air Force uniform, smiles at the room as she shows off a photo from the funeral.
A knife that she carried was a painting of a butterfly created with her second grade handprints. You will find race bibs and medals for half-marathons. There is also a Christmas list that Wilson made when she was 6 years old, asking for Blendy Pens or dinosaur toys.
Swan explained that her daughter became interested in junior ROTC because she enjoyed community service. She was a petite athlete who wanted to be a scientist and also wanted her mom to donate blood. She was proud to be part of the drill team and parading with the color guard. They also taught her leadership and first aid.
Swan stated, “It never crossed me that her life might be in danger in ROTC.”
Swan decided to stick with it and realized that she would be using her brain in the Air Force behind-the scenes, and not on the frontline.
OSU Air Force ROTC Dec 685 (@flyingbeavs).
Swan stated that her June trip was the first time she had taken her daughter to a military base.
She said, “And they killed them for no reason.” She wasn’t fighting in war. She was not doing dangerous training. She was job shadowing.”
She does not want to see this happen to another parent.
Air Force rules state that Humvees should not be driven casually. Only with certification, licensing and licensing or a high-level waiver are these qualifications.
Wilson was not yet in the military. Swan stated that she learned that Humvee rollovers are very common in the Armed Forces and that congressional watchdogs document thousands of accidents involving tactical vehicle outside of combat, which have claimed hundreds of lives and injured many young servicemembers.
Swan stated that she has been patient but feels the military should be able to explain. Swan wants to see more than the teenage driver of the Humvee.
Swan stated, “I mean that my goal is accountability.” “Mackenzie’s suicide was totally preventable. Awareness, awareness that American teenagers are being murdered on American soil. … Training accidents are being called.
She claimed that someone higher up made a decision which cost her her daughter’s life.
