National Guard helicopter crash kills 2 in Mississippi

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Two Mississippi National Guard service members were killed Friday when their Apache helicopter crashed during training, according to multiple reports.

The helicopter went down in the northeast part of the state near the small town of Booneville, according to a report by NBC News.

The two service members killed in the crash were part of the Army Aviation Support Facility based in Tupelo. Officials said their families had been contacted but did not say when the victims' names would be released.

Quoting a statement from the Mississippi National Guard, ABC News reported that the AH-64 Apache crashed in Prentiss County at about 2 p.m. local time.

Posting on X, Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves asked for prayers for the families.

"Mississippi will always be grateful for their service and we will never forget them," he posted.

The Apache AH-64 attack helicopter is designed for a crew of two.

A week ago, two service members were hospitalized in Utah after their AH-64D Apache Longbow h elicopter crashed near Salt Lake City . That Utah National Guard helicopter crew also was taking part in training.

Last April, the Army grounded its airborne units for 24 hours after a pair of fatal helicopter crashes, including one that killed three when an Apache helicopter crashed in Alaska.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for details.