"Socalj" and "Enojon" for Borderland Beat
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A National Guard helicopter with three National Guard soldiers, working under federal Title 10 orders, and a Border Patrol agent on board crashed in La Grulla, Texas.
It is being reported that of the four crew, three died and the fourth is in critical condition. The Border Patrol Agent was one of those who died in the helicopter crash in the Rio Grande Valley, near the US-Mexico border.
Videos, posted to social media allegedly show the helicopter crash via cellphone and drone footage. Seemingly captured by nearby cartel members, possibly scouts, from across the border.
Update March 9
According to a report, the possible hitmen who captured the crash are from the criminal cells of Los Metros of the Gulf Cartel or part of the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) that operates in that area. Fighting has occurred between both cartels in the region. This information has not been confirmed by any authority.
"We are heartbroken by the devastating loss of Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna, as well as National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, in Friday’s helicopter crash near Rio Grande City, Texas.
We mourn alongside Agent Luna’s family, including his wife and two children, parents, and brother. We will continue to provide them with strength and support from their CBP family. We will forever honor Chris’s service, and we will never forget his and family’s tremendous sacrifice.
The thoughts and prayers of the entire CBP workforce are with the U.S. Border Patrol and the National Guard, with the National Guardsman who is recovering from serious injuries, and with all impacted by this tragedy."
Update March 10
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| US Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna |
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) released an official statement regarding the incident and identified those who died in the helicopter crash.
- Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna
- National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 & New York State Trooper John Grassia
We mourn alongside Agent Luna’s family, including his wife and two children, parents, and brother. We will continue to provide them with strength and support from their CBP family. We will forever honor Chris’s service, and we will never forget his and family’s tremendous sacrifice.
The thoughts and prayers of the entire CBP workforce are with the U.S. Border Patrol and the National Guard, with the National Guardsman who is recovering from serious injuries, and with all impacted by this tragedy."
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| John M. Grassia III, left, a New York State trooper, and Casey Frankoski, a National Guard helicopter pilot, were killed in the helicopter crash on Friday. |
"The National Guard Bureau announced today the deaths of two Army National Guard Soldiers killed in a helicopter crash Friday while supporting the federal Southwest border mission.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, of Rensselaer, N.Y., and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, of Schenectady, N.Y., died when their UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas, at approximately 2:50 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on March 8, 2024.
Frankoski and Grassia were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, 1st of the 224th Aviation Regiment, New York Army National Guard.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent also died in the crash and another New York Army National Guard Soldier was seriously injured.
The cause of the crash is under investigation."
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, of Rensselaer, N.Y., and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, of Schenectady, N.Y., died when their UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas, at approximately 2:50 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on March 8, 2024.
Frankoski and Grassia were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, 1st of the 224th Aviation Regiment, New York Army National Guard.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent also died in the crash and another New York Army National Guard Soldier was seriously injured.
The cause of the crash is under investigation."
The Army says the group was conducting "monitoring and detection" operations at the time of the crash.
3 Dead & One Injured
Starr County Sheriff said its deputies were currently assisting with a downed helicopter incident on the East side of La Grulla, Texas, involving possibly four occupants.A defense official with knowledge of the investigation told ABC News that two people were killed and a third person was injured in a helicopter crash near the US-Mexico border Friday evening,
A county official said that a helicopter carrying three National Guard members and a Border Patrol agent crashed along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas on Friday, killing three of the people on board.
Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, the county’s top local official, said a fourth person on board was in critical condition.
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The crash happened near the small town of La Grulla, which is in Starr County.
Those on board included one woman and three men, Vera said.
Channel 5 News reached out to the Texas Department of Public Safety for comment. DPS spokeswoman Sgt. Maria Hernandez referred all questions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
When reached for comment, CBP said they'll release more information in a news release.
Cartel Member Filmed Crash
@BillMelugin, a FOX News correspondent, posted a video purportedly of the helicopter crash, captured by an alleged cartel member.
"BREAKING: Per "Border Patrol source," cartel members were watching the helicopter on their drone when it crashed, then they zoomed into the crash site and laughed about it. Posted on cartel social media. The La Grulla area sees frequent cartel activity via drug & human smuggling."
Spanish is heard after the crash before the cameraman begins to run from the area, he and others are heard laughing, as well as the text 'jajajaja' in the social media post.
A rough translation of the video by Enojon.
"…The fly fell…run, run, run…can you see it? A fire started you can see the smoke…
Something failed on that thing that fucking fell…unintelligible if some men were killed there or not…"
The video then cuts to show another figure controlling a drone and filming the crash site of the helicopter.
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National Guard Helicopter
The helicopter was a National Guard Lakota UH-72, according to the defense official. The Army National Guard's website describes the purpose and specifications of the helicopter.
The model's primary use is on search and rescue, MEDEVAC, and recon and surveillance operations. The crew was likely surveilling the border, specific cartel members, and/or migrant smugglers.
LAKOTA LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER (LUH)
MISSION
Provides a flexible response to Homeland Security requirements such as search and rescue operations, reconnaissance and surveillance, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions.
DESCRIPTION
The UH-72A LAKOTA Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will conduct general support utility helicopter missions and execute tasks as part of an integrated effort with other Joint Services, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The LUH is to be deployed only to non-combat, non-hostile environments. The UH-72A is a variant of the American Eurocopter U.S.-produced EC-145.
The UH-72A is a twin-engine, single-main-rotor commercial helicopter. It has seating for two pilots and up to six passengers or two NATO standard litters. Two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines, combined with an advanced four-blade rotor system, provide lift and speed in a wide range of operating conditions. The LUH can be configured with two NATO standard litters and passenger seating for a medical attendant and a crew chief.
The UH-72A is equipped with modern communication and navigation avionics. It includes a 3-axis autopilot and single pilot Instrument Flight Rules capability. The cockpit is compatible with night vision devices. In addition to the MEDEVAC configuration, the UH-72A is also being fielded in VIP, ARNG Security & Support (S&S), and Combined Training Center (CTC) configurations.
La Grulla, Texas Crash
Per BillMelugin's sources, "there are “multiple fatalities” after a federalized National Guard helicopter w/ 3 National Guard soldiers working under federal Title 10 orders and a Border Patrol agent on board crashed in the RGV in La Grulla, TX this afternoon.""They were not working under the state of TX/Operation Lone Star. This was federal. I’ve reached out to CBP for comment."
Two U.S. soldiers and a Border Patrol agent were killed and a fourth person was injured when a helicopter went down near Rio Grande City, Texas, on Friday, officials said.
The UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed around 2:50 p.m. local time while it was "conducting aviation operations" in the area, according to a statement from the Defense Department’s Joint Task Force North.
The helicopter had been assigned to a support mission at the Southwest border of the U.S., the statement said.
The Joint Task Force North said it will not release the names of those who were killed until next of kin is notified. The person who was injured is a soldier.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
In January, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter patrolling the state’s border with Mexico lost power and crashed, officials said at the time. The co-pilot suffered a minor hand injury and the helicopter was significantly damaged.
That helicopter was flying as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s nearly $10 billion border mission that has tested the federal government’s authority over immigration.
That helicopter was flying as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s nearly $10 billion border mission that has tested the federal government’s authority over immigration.
A waste of time and a waste of life.
ReplyDeleteYou go out at night with your K Swissles and dime of cut meth?
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Delete3:47 the same can be said about your dumb ass being taken out
DeleteIt’s not really like they’re laughing at the border patrol agents, it’s more like a “ no mms I can’t believe that just happened “ kind of laugh.
ReplyDeleteTrue, the laugh was a more of a nervous shock reaction.
DeleteWhile they are investigating that crashed, por otro lado están metiendo kilos a lo pndj. Keeping the agents distracted with the accident
ReplyDelete@9:19 same thing I thought bro they probably was pushing in them keys while them people were busy in that side. I would’ve thought the same shiiiiit
DeleteThis is my backyard. These pigs and troopers invaded my city and all they do is sit in their trucks to collect overtime and eat panda express, it's not their fault the governor is human shit.
ReplyDeleteLmao that’s funny cuz my Tia leaves near the border and that does happen lol. Se sientan los viejones y asta se duermen.
DeleteAs a native of Tijuana, I pray for their families, RIP.
DeleteRIP to the soldiers.
DeleteI hope they were not part of the mostly imaginary Republican talk of a migrant invasion for election purposes and owning the libs.
Tambien tu te duermes y el sancho esta con tu vieja.
DeleteWhat accent is that ? From what Mexican state.
ReplyDeleteTamaulipas
DeleteDanm thats my hometown
ReplyDeleteFunny not funny but yeah its funny when they say se callo el mosco jajaja i didnt know they called helicopters mosquitos lmao
ReplyDeleteLes metieron unas 20 toneladas de perico alv fugaaaaa ay que aser feria mis amores 💯💯💯💯
ReplyDeleteShould've enlisted in a real outfit!
ReplyDeleteYou should show them how it's done. Or you should have respect for these men that died doing their job. Rest In Peace.
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ReplyDeleteNo they didn’t they’re not that stupid to even think of doing that. But you clearly are stupid enough to not read the article.
DeleteWonder how many crossed while they were busy with that mosca 🪰
ReplyDeleteAnd i thought you have good chances of survival with the autorotation, the special seats and other stuff. Rip
ReplyDelete