Mississippi National Guard members killed in helicopter crash identified

Two National Guard soldiers were killed Friday when the helicopter they were in crashed in Mississippi during a routine training flight, officials said. 

The soldiers were on an Apache AH-64 helicopter, when it went down around 2 p.m. in a wooded area near Booneville in Prentiss County. Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar confirmed the deaths, the Mississippi National Guard said. 

The soldiers were identified Saturday as Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, the Mississippi National Guard confirmed. 

Zemek was in Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment serving as an AH-64 Delta Apache Standardization Instructor Pilot in Tupelo.

Abbott was in Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit, serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot in the Mississippi National Guard.

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Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, were killed in a helicopter training crash on Friday.  (Mississippi National Guard)

At a Saturday afternoon press conference, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said: "This is a sad time for the state of Mississippi as we mourn the loss of two of our own Mississippi National Guard heroes. Both Service Members served at the Mississippi National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility 2 located in Tupelo." 

He added, "I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of our fallen soldiers. We will always remember these dedicated soldiers for their honorable service, and we grieve with the families during this tragic time."

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Reeves first offered his condolences to the families of the soldiers on Friday. 

"Tragically, both Guardsmen on board did not survive. Safety crews are currently working the scene of the crash with local authorities," Reeves said in a statement. "Please join First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and me in praying for the two Guardsmen and their families. Mississippi will always be grateful for their service and we will never forget them."

In this photo released by the U.S. Army, AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, fly over a mountain range near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in 2019. Two National Guard members were killed Friday during a helicopter crash in Mississippi, officials said. (Cameron Roxberry / U.S. Army via AP / File)

Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles said at the press conference, "Today is a devastating day for the Mississippi National Guard as we mourn the loss of two of our brave brothers in arms. This accident serves as a constant reminder of the selfless service, sacrifice, and commitment that our brave service men and women face while performing in the line of duty." 

The incident is under investigation, he said.

"We are not at liberty to discuss any details of the accident during an ongoing investigation. Our paramount concern at this time is to ensure proper casualty assistance is available to support the surviving family members through this difficult time. The Mississippi National Guard is family. In fact, the National Guard is family. Our hearts are truly broken at the loss of these two members of our family." 

Reeves added at the end of the press conference, "I want to once again pay tribute to the lives of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Zemek and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Abbott. Our state owes them a debt that can never be fully repaid. Their service to our state and our nation will not be forgotten, and we remain thankful for their comrades in arms who continue to serve, as they did, with honor and distinction." 

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Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves mourned the loss of two Mississippi National Guard members killed in a helicopter crash Friday.  (AP Photo / Rogelio V. Solis / File)

In a statement, President Biden said: "Jill and I mourn the loss of two Mississippi National Guardsmen, whose aircraft crashed during a routine training mission near Booneville, Mississippi yesterday. Our prayers are with their families, units, and the entire Mississippi National Guard at this incredibly difficult time. These two Guardsmen embodied the very best of our nation — bound by honor, and committed to service. We will continue to keep our solemn promise to care for their families, just as they were faithful to our nation. I am grateful to the local law enforcement and first responders, who quickly supported recovery efforts after this tragic accident. As the Department of Defense and National Guard continue to assess what occurred, we stand ready to provide any assistance needed." 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Guard as well as local authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration referred inquiries to the National Guard. 

Zemek is survived by his wife and four children. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Senior Army Aviator Badge. 

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Abbott is survived by his wife and three children. His awards include the Air Medal with Valor and numeral 2; Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Combat Action Badge; the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

Last week, a Utah Army National Guard helicopter crashed in what officials called a "training accident," injuring two pilots onboard. The accident involved an AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter that crashed at the West Jordan Army Aviation Support Facility.