Pineville Guardsman Among Those Missing In Military Crash

The search continues for 11 soldiers who were aboard a military helicopter that crashed Tuesday night. One of the soldiers on board is a native of Pineville.

David Strother was one of four Louisiana National Guardsmen on the crew of the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed off the Florida Panhandle. Seven Marines were also onboard. Though search and rescue operations continue, the 11 are feared dead.

Strother, a graduate of Pineville High School, is a pilot who had served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Louisiana National Guard crew were based in Hammond but on temporary assignment at Florida's Eglin AFB. They were part of a training exercise with Marines from the Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The helicopter was reported missing at about 8:30 p.m. Crews found debris from the helicopter overnight, including its tail rotor.