Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin

Died October 4, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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32, of Hugo, Okla.; assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, Corpus Christi, Texas; killed Oct. 4, when he fell out of a U.S. Navy MH-53 helicopter during a regularly scheduled training mission in the Central Arabian Gulf.

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Sailor leaned out of helicopter before fall, Navy says

The Associated Press

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Corpus Christi Navy mechanic was at fault when he fell to his death from a helicopter in the Central Arabian Gulf, a Navy investigation has found.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin, 32, a native Oklahoman, was conducting an unauthorized act when the Oct. 4 accident took place, the Navy said.

Joplin placed his body partially outside the MH-53 helicopter while on a routine training flight, Navy spokesman Lt. Herb Josey said. He lost consciousness, slipped out of his harness and fell 125 feet.

The helicopter was traveling through Bahrain to Kuwait when the accident occurred.

The Navy is reviewing its training standards to prevent these types of accidents, officials said.

Joplin, a native of Hugo, Okla., was deployed from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in June.

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Oklahoma soldier killed during OIF training mission

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma sailor died during a training operation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Central Arabian Gulf, the Department of Defense said.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin, 32, was involved in a mission aboard a Navy MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter when he fell, officials said late Wednesday.

“Brian was a very private person, but he was a very loving person,” said his aunt, Gin Young of Hugo.

Joplin was born and raised in Hugo, but most recently lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, Young said.

Young said she last saw Joplin at the funeral for his mother and sister, who recently died in an auto accident.

“I know he was very proud to be in the service,” Young said.

Joplin was assigned to the Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, which is based in Corpus Christi.

Young said her nephew was married and had two children.

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Slain Oklahoma soldier to be buried

Associated Press

HUGO, Okla. — A funeral for an Oklahoma native who died during a training mission in the Middle East is set for next week, his family said Thursday.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin died Tuesday when he fell out of a MH-53 helicopter in the Central Arabian Gulf, the Defense Department said. He was assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I don’t even want to believe it,” his step-grandmother, Ruth Wilson of Hugo, said Thursday. “It’s like somebody hit me in the stomach and I haven’t got a breath yet. I loved that young ‘un.”

Joplin, 32, was born in Hugo where he played football and graduated high school, Wilson said. He most recently lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, with his wife and two young daughters.

Joplin fell from a trap door and his harness broke, Wilson said. He was a sailor about eight years, she said.

“His grandfather was tickled to death because of him,” Wilson, 72, said. “He was so proud of him.”

Joplin’s mother and one of his sisters were killed recently in a car crash in Ada. He is survived by two brothers, a sister and his father.

Wilson said the way Joplin accepted her into his heart is something she’ll never forget. The last time Wilson saw Joplin was in March when the sailor came home to see his dying grandfather.

Miller & Miller Funeral Home in Hugo is handling arrangements for Joplin’s funeral, which Wilson said should be next week.

Joplin’s aunt, Gin Young of Hugo, said there will be a military ceremony in Corpus Christi, but his wife plans to have him buried in Arizona with her relatives.