Three people have died after a National Guard helicopter crashed along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas on Friday, according to authorities.
Joint Task Force North (JTFN) said in a press release that a UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to the federal southwest border support mission crashed at approximately 2:50 p.m. local time while conducting aviation operations near Rio Grande City, Texas.
“Two soldiers and one U.S. Border Patrol agent were killed,” said JTFN, adding that another soldier was injured.
“The names of the deceased will not be released until the next of kin have been notified,” JTFN said.
The Starr County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook they are assisting with a “downed helicopter incident” on the east side of the county.
Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Christopher Olivarez said the crash happened in the small town of La Grulla. He did not provide further details and referred questions to CBP. The Epoch Times contacted CBP for comment.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
“My team and I are currently monitoring the tragic National Guard helicopter crash near Rio Grande City,” Mr. Cruz wrote on X (formerly Twitter.)
“The brave men and women of the National Guard and USBP risk their lives each and every day—we are a better state and nation thanks to their selfless service to Texas and America,” he added.
La Grulla is in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.
Last month, all helicopter units of the Army National Guard were stood down due to two crashes, one of which resulted in the deaths of two Guardsmen. The incident occurred in Mississippi, while the other crash happened in Utah on Feb. 12, leaving one pilot each from the Army National Guard and the Air Force in the hospital.
According to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the affected units would resume operations after reviewing their safety policies and procedures.
Also in February, five Marines were killed when their helicopter crashed in California.
The stand-downs initiated in February came less than a year after the Army imposed its own stand-downs after a mid-air collision of two helicopters. That incident left three people dead in Alaska.
Last November, another Army helicopter crashed in the Mediterranean, killing five. Likewise, there were two other crashes in southern California last year, one of which left five Marines dead.
Training incidents resulting in fatalities are not uncommon in the United States military. The military has experienced countless aircraft crashes during training exercises throughout its history. It is rare for the military to go a single year without at least one such accident.
The number of service members killed in helicopter accidents appears to be increasing. At least 30 died last year.
Andrew Thornebrooke and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
