Press Release
☷New York National Guard Names Soldiers Killed in Texas Helicopter Crash
National Guard ( By Press Release office)
Mar 11,2024
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Two New York Army National Guard aviators , Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia , were sadly killed in a helicopter crash near Rio Grande City , Texas . The accident also claimed the life of a Border Patrol agent and left the aircraft crew chief seriously injured . The Soldiers were part of a mission supporting Customs and Border Protection operations on the southwest border . Our thoughts are with their families and friends during this difficult time . Grassia joined the New York Army National Guard in 2013 as a maintenance specialist for UH - 60 Black Hawk helicopters . In 2019 , he became a warrant officer and received training as a UH - 60 pilot . He was then promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 in 2020 . Grassia graduated from Schalmont High School in Schenectady in 2012 . He served in Kuwait with Company A of the 3rd Battalion , 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion from September 2013 to September 2014 . He also served on state active duty from 2020 to 2022 as part of the New York National Guard ' s response to the COVID - 19 pandemic . His awards include the Army Commendation Medal , the Army Achievement Medal , the Army Good Conduct Medal , the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal , the National Defense Service Medal , the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal , the Armed Forces Service Medal , the Army Service Ribbon , the Armed Forces Reserve Medal , and the Basic Aviator Badge . The UH - 70 Lakota Light Utility Helicopter is used for general missions and tasks in non - combat , non - hostile environments , mainly supporting local and state government and law enforcement . It is a twin - engine , single - main - rotor helicopter based on the American Eurocopter EC - 145 . It accommodates two pilots and can carry up to six passengers or two litters . The UH - 72 is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines and a four - blade rotor system , providing lift and speed in various conditions . It can be configured for medical evacuation with two litters and space for a medical attendant and crew chief . The UH - 72A is equipped with modern communication and navigation avionics , including a 3 - axis autopilot and single pilot Instrument Flight Rules capability . The cockpit is compatible with night vision devices . Besides the medevac setup , the UH - 72A is also used in a security and support configuration .
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