Sgt. Kyle Clayton Thomas died while conducting combat maneuver operations on Monday in California, according to an Army news release.
Three other Mississippi National Guardsmen were injured when the four soldiers were involved in a rollover incident in an M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin.
Thomas was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 198th Armored Regiment, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team.
Sgt. Kyle Clayton Thomas died on Monday during a rollover incident involving an M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank.
Photo Credit: Army
"Our thoughts and prayers are with our fallen soldier's family, friends, and fellow 2-198 AR soldiers," Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, said in the release. "The safety and security of our soldiers and airmen is paramount and we are working diligently to prevent any future incidents."
The three injured soldiers were taken by military helicopter to the Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California. Two have been released and one remains in stable condition.
The incident is under investigation.
The 155th ABCT — the largest unit in the Mississippi National Guard — is participating in Decisive Action Rotation 17-07 at the National Training Center.
The exercise "is reflective of the complexities of potential adversaries our nation could face and include: guerrilla, insurgent, criminal and near-peer conventional forces woven into one dynamic environment," according to the National Training Center's Operations Group Facebook page.
Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
