A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the Minnesota Army National Guard crashed on Thursday evening, killing all three soldiers on board.
Three soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard were killed today when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Minnesota National Guard’s Army Aviation Safety Facility in St. Cloud went down southwest of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) December 6, 2019
The helicopter had departed the Army aviation facility in St. Cloud, Minn. for a maintenance test flight.
Nine minutes later, the helicopter sent a “mayday” call, and later lost contact with tower communications at 2:05 p.m. local time.
It crashed approximately 16 miles southwest of St. Cloud in a wooded area.
The St. Paul Fire Department and Minnesota State Patrol worked alongside the Minnesota National Guard to locate the downed helicopter.
“Our Minnesota National Guard family is devastated by the deaths of these soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard. “Our priority right now is ensuring that our families are taken care of.”
The names of the deceased will be withheld pending next of kin notification. An investigation is currently being conducted. Additional details will be provided as information becomes available.
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) December 6, 2019
Gov. Tim Walz confirmed the death of the soldiers in a press conference Thursday evening.
