The tragic death of two National Guardsmen and U.S. Border Patrol agent Chris Luna near the Texas border town of Rio Grande City has sent shockwaves through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
"We are devastated by the tragic death of Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna, a heroic public servant who lost his life Friday in a helicopter crash while on a Border Patrol mission in Texas," said Mayorkas, according to a DHS news release. "Two national guardsmen were also killed, and one national guardsman was seriously injured. Every single day, our Border Patrol agents place themselves in harm's way so that the rest of us can be safe and secure. My thoughts, and the deepest condolences of our department, are with Agent Luna’s family, loved ones, and colleagues and with those of the National Guardsmen who lost their lives. We hope for the injured service member's swift recovery, and hold our National Guard colleagues, and their families in our thoughts as well."
According to a news release from the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, a UH-72 Lakota helicopter carrying Luna, along with Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28 - both from the New York National Guard - crashed on March 8. Grassia and Frankoski both died from their injuries. Another National Guard soldier, who served as the aircraft crew chief, remains in serious condition at a local hospital.
The news release further stated that the helicopter was conducting aviation operations at the time of the accident. Since 2014, it has been customary for the New York Army National Guard to send UH-72 pilots and associated crews to aid Border Patrol on the southwest border. The UH-72 Lakota helicopter has been operational within guard services since 2012.
Major General Ray Shields, adjutant general of New York, said: "We are all shocked and devastated by the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Grassia, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frankoski, while serving along the U.S. border in Texas. We are praying for the quick recovery of the crew chief who was injured in the crash. Our deepest condolences also go out to the family and friends of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent who was also killed."
