According to The Idaho National Guard, a helicopter crash unfolded shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday and has claimed the lives of three army pilots.
“This is a tremendous loss to the Idaho National Guard and our community,” Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones as we work through this tragedy.”
The crash occurred during a routine training flight involving the three pilots and a UH-Black Hawk helicopter that went down for an unknown cause near Boise, Idaho.
Lt. Col. Nicole Washington said in a press conference that flying operations were halted as the investigation continues.
Washington added that the three victims were qualified pilots with one being “well over 15 years of experience”, the other over 10 years of flying, and that the third had at least 5 years of experience.
“The incident leaves a tremendous, indescribable void in our aviation community. We are very close-knit,” Washington said.