The three killed in the US military helicopter crash in Texas, along the US-Mexico border, They were identified as two members of the New York National Guard and a Border Patrol agent..
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas identified Border Patrol agent Chris Luna on Sunday, while local agencies announced on Saturday that New York State Trooper John M. Grassia III and the Guard helicopter pilot New York National, Casey Frankoski, died in the accident.
“We are devastated by the tragic death of Border Patrol Agent Chris Lunaa heroic public servant who lost his life Friday in a helicopter crash while on a Border Patrol mission in Texas. Two national guardsmen were also killed, and one national guard was seriously injured,” Mayorkas said in a statement. release published in X.
Grassia, 30, died Friday in a helicopter crash while flying over the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, serving with the National Guard, the New York State Troops Police Benevolent Association said in a statement Saturday. publication From Facebook.
“Trooper Grassia, who dedicated himself to serving and protecting not only the citizens of the state of New York but also citizens throughout the United States, will be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice,” the post said.
Trooper Grassia joined the New York State Police in April 2022 and was recently assigned to Troop G. Funeral arrangements are pending, according to the agency.
Frankoski also “tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on Friday while patrolling the US-Mexico border,” according to the mayor of Rensselaer, New York, located across the Hudson River from the state capital, Albany. .
“Casey, a proud Rensselaer native and distinguished graduate of Columbia High Schoolwas not only an excellent student but also excelled in sports and community service before joining the New York National Guard,” wrote Mayor Michael Stammel.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Army National Guard helicopter pilots Casey Frankoski and John Grassia Jr, who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash over the Texas-Mexico border on Friday during an operation.” added the Troy Police Department in New York in Facebook.
A UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to the federal southwest border support mission crashed Friday afternoon while conducting aviation operations near Rio Grande City, Texas, according to a statement issued by Joint Task Force North.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, in a post on
“We mourn these heartbreaking deaths. They are a tragic loss that goes beyond words. “All of these people represent selfless service and the best of America,” she noted.
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