National Guard tragedy: 3 killed in helicopter crash in NY Nine Line News Team January 21, 2021 Nine Line News 1,614 Last night, a New York Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crashed in farmer’s field near Rochester, killing all three soldiers aboard. According to the New York Army National Guard, the UH-60 medical evacuation helicopter was on a routine training mission when it went down just after 6:30 pm. The New York Army National Guard released a statement about the crash last night, saying: A New York Army National Guard UH-60 medical evacuation helicopter based at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport crashed earlier tonight in the Town of Mendon, New York while on a routine training mission. The aircraft was assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion. There were three Soldiers on board killed in the crash. The incident is under investigation. At a news conference, Sheriff Todd K. Baxter of Monroe County said people had called 911 and reported seeing a helicopter flying very low and hearing sounds of a sputtering engine. Images posted on social media show burning wreckage. Sheriff Baxter said that debris from the crash stretched for several hundred feet from the site. Military helicopter crash in Mendon (W Bloomfield Rd near Cheese Factory Rd) photo courtesy Emily Fasel #roc @News_8 pic.twitter.com/WPb7HRG4ZL — Maureen McGuire (@MaureenMcGuire8) January 21, 2021 We had a Black Hawk in the middle of Mendon go down with three great Americans on it,” Baxter said in a statement last night, “so keep them in your minds and your prayers.” Baxter said teams would be working through the night and likely into the morning to determine the extent of the debris field. “We’ll maintain this scene for hours, if not maybe a day or two,” Baxter said. New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of the National Guard members who lost their lives. He released a statement Wednesday evening saying: I am devastated by the news tonight of a New York Army National Guard helicopter crash in the Town of Mendon that killed three of New York’s bravest during a training mission. National Guard members are our citizen soldiers who voluntarily serve and protect both here and abroad, and I extend prayers and condolences from all New Yorkers to the family, loved ones and fellow soldiers of these honorable heroes who we will never forget. I am directing that flags on all State buildings be lowered to half-staff tomorrow in honor of and in tribute to these New Yorkers who dedicated their service to nation and state.” None of the soldiers have yet been identified, as of this writing.