CW4 Keith Yoakum

[kevinyoakum]

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to say thanks to the folks that have posted messages about Keith in my New Crewmember post. I have been trying to let all of his freinds know what happened and information on a memorial service, but figured with the traffic this site gets I should post something here as well. Alot of Keith's freinds didn't know that he had left the comforts of Fixed wing aviation to get back into Apaches, so to hear of his passing in a 64 crash has come as quite a shock. I was also looking for a way to pass on my condolences to his co-pilot's family CW2 Jason Defrenn. I understand that Jason had 5 children and was expecting another one in the next couple of weeks. My heart really breaks for his family.
According to the Casualty Assistance Officer there is going to be a memorial at Camp Taji on Tuesday 6 February. We are still working the details for a memorial at Ft. Rucker. If anyone needs more information please feel free to contact me my email is [e-mail]

[outcast46]

I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. I will miss Keith and will always remember his come backs and funny demeanor. His work ethic was top notch and his friendship was invaluable. I served with him at the Maintenance Course at Rucker. I've since retired due to neck problems but will be at the memorial when you announce it.

Douglas Agee

[CTerrell]

I knew Jason in 64 AQC. He was a great guy who always gave his best. My condolences go out to Keith and Jason's families.

Chris Terrell

[Admin]

Army Helicopter Pilot Remembered as Model for Others

FORT RUCKER, Ala. Army helicopter pilot Keith Yoakum is remembered as a model for others who fly choppers in combat, protecting ground troops, as well as a loving father who looked forward to teaching his daughters to fly.

A memorial service and funeral for the chief warrant officer who died in Iraq will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10 am in the main post chapel at Fort Rucker.

Yoakum, who was 41, lived in Coffee Springs in Geneva County and had moved to the Wiregrass region from Hemet, California, to be near his two brothers. The family bought property and had begun to build a hangar and grass landing strip.

His twin brother, Kevin Yoakum, said he has received e-mails from soldiers around the world expressing condolences and sharing memories.

Keith Yoakum died of wounds suffered on February 2nd when he was forced down in combat operations at Taji, Iraq. Also killed was 34-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Jason Defrenn of Barnwell, South Carolina. The two soldiers were assigned to 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Cavalry Regiment, 1st Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

Yoakum's family said he died doing what he loved.

[Joe Carroll]

I served with Keith in Illesheim, Germany from Jun 98 thru Feb 01 as the Platoon Sergeant of A troop 6-6 Cavalry. This really came as a shock to me and it really hurts to think he's gone. I really looked up to Keith. Very hard working and hard charging person. He was one of the reason why I wanted to become a Warrant Officer. I will forever miss him, but I know for a fact he died doing with he loved. I last saw Keith in Korea preparing to fly C-12s (fixed wing army aircraft) in 2004 and I never thought that he would go back to fly 64s. My condolences go out to Kelly, the girls, and the rest of the family. He will sorely be missed.

CW2 Joe Carroll (Ft.Lewis, Wa)

[vfwmichael]

30 plus years since I entered Army Aviation and some 10 plus years of understanding what flying was all about before that from my pa being in the Air Force and it is always tough, tough, tough to read of those that have answered the Final Roll Call.

Condolences to all.

.