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Tenn. Army National Guard soldier killed in training accident

"This Soldier was doing her job in this harsh environment and had an accident. We mourn her loss and her absence will be felt throughout the Tennessee National Guard."

A soldier with the Tennessee National Guard was killed this week in a training accident in California.

Private First Class Tara Turnage of Memphis served with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, which is headquartered in Knoxville.

LaQuita Darnell said she learned of her daughter's death Monday when National Guard members came to her home.

"The initial shock of losing one of my children, I think that's been one of my worst fears, and to have it realized was hard," Darnell said.

PFC Turnage died in a vehicular accident at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., but no furthers details are being released.

“This was a very bad day for the Regiment and the Tennessee National Guard”, said Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General who was nearby when the accident occurred. “My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy go out to her family and friends for our loss of this young Soldier. Service to one's country that ends so tragically is the highest form of patriotism. Private First Class Turnage was a true patriot and we will miss her dearly.

“The NTC is a harsh and unforgiving desert environment and is the most advanced training area in the world. As a veteran of several NTC rotations and having experienced combat—the NTC is harder. This Soldier was doing her job in this harsh environment and had an accident. We mourn her loss and her absence will be felt throughout the Tennessee National Guard. I pray for her immediate family and her Guard family as we all hurt,” continued Haston.

PFC Turnage was assigned to the Forward Support Company, Support Squadron and attached to G Troop, 1st Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. She drilled in Humbolt, Tenn. and resided in Memphis.

Darnell said Turnage loved being in the National Guard. She said her daughter was proud to serve her country.

"She was an all around good person. She was just adventurous and loving and spent her life looking for that in return," Darnell said.

The National Guard told Darnell it would soon ship Turnage's body back to the Mid-South. Darnell said the military said it would cover all of Turnage's funeral services.

Turnage was recently engaged and a mother to a 7-year-old daughter.

"When she joined the military, she learned discipline and she became a better person--more responsible, a better mom," Darnell said.

The troops are preparing for multiple deployments to Europe later this year.

WMC contributed to this report.

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