The female pilot killed in the Army helicopter collision with a passenger jet in Washington DC has been named as a former aide to President Joe Biden.

Captain Rebecca Lobach, 28, whose identity was kept secret, had served as an officer for almost six years and worked as an White House aide in the Biden administration.

She had been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. 

The decision to release her name came “at the request of and in coordination with the family”, according to a statement issued by the US Army.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives,” her family said in a statement released by the Army.