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The three Idaho National Guard pilots killed during a routine training mission have been identified, authorities announced Thursday.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Pelzter died in the Tuesday night crash when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed south of Lucky Peak near Boise, Idaho National Guard officials said.
Anderson, 43, of Boise, was a senior instructor pilot who had served in the Idaho National Guard since 2008. He’s survived by his wife and four children.
Laubhan, a 10-year National Guard vet, was also an instructor pilot. The 39-year-old Boise resident was married with two children.
Peltzer, 43, of Nampa, was a pilot with the National Guard since 2005. He’s survived by a wife and two children, authorities said.
The cause of the wreck remains unknown, but an investigation is underway.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer was a pilot with the National Guard since 2005.IDNG
“It’s important to remember that at this time, there are many unanswered questions and any speculation into the cause of this accident would be premature ahead of any official investigation,” Idaho National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Borders told reporters Wednesday.
The downed helicopter and bodies of the pilots were recovered at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday following an air and ground search.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan was a 10-year National Guard vet.IDNG
No other personnel were on board during the training mission that departed from Boise.
Tuesday, Idaho Army National Guard Col. Christopher Burt said.
The helicopter’s emergency transmitter device was activated 15 minutes later, prompting the air and ground search, Burt said.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson was a senior instructor pilot who had served in the Idaho National Guard since 2008.IDNG
The crash marked the fourth fatality involving Black Hawk helicopter in little over a year, the Idaho Statesman reported, citing deadly crashes in Minnesota, New York and California that killed eight service members.
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