MENDON, N.Y. — Officials say the three National Guard members killed when a helicopter crashed in an upstate New York field this week were experienced pilots with past deployments to Afghanistan.
Killed in the crash near Rochester were 54-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Steven Skoda of Rochester, 39-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Christian Koch of Honeoye Falls and 30-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Prial of Rochester.
The NYSP say Koch was a Division Civilian Pilot in their Aviation Unit. He was recently honored last year by the Red Cross for his efforts in helping to rescue an 11-year-old boy in Wyoming County who was injured.
An Army Safety Investigation team arrived at the site Thursday from Fort Rucker in Alabama.
