3 members of Tennessee Air National Guard killed in plane crash

Tennessee Air National Guard officials said they are shocked and saddened by the loss of Lt. Col. Shelli Huether, Capt. Jessica Wright and Senior Master Sgt. Scott Bumpus.

The three national guardsmen died in a plane crash Tuesday afternoon in McMinnville. They were members of the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 118th Wing.

On Wednesday Col. Todd Wiles, commander of the 118th Wing, said in a press release, "Words can not begin to explain the shock, grief, pain and dismay we feel having lost three remarkable members of our Guard family. All three were dedicated to the service of our nation. Their families are in our hearts and our prayers.”

Col. Wiles says all three participated in missions that saved lives in Tennessee. Their squadron took aerial photos during the Gatlinburg Wildfires and the March 2020 Middle Tennessee tornadoes to help with rescues and intelligence long before boots could be on the ground.