The Mississippi National Guard has identified two Guardsmen who died Friday in an AH-64 Apache helicopter crash in the northern part of the state.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, was in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, was in Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit, according to the National Guard.
“Jill and I mourn the loss of two Mississippi National Guardsmen,” President Joe Biden said in a statement Saturday. “Our prayers are with their families, units, and the entire Mississippi National Guard at this incredibly difficult time.”
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“We will continue to keep our solemn promise to care for their families,” Biden added. “Just as they were faithful to our nation.”
The crash occurred during a routine, daytime training mission amid clear weather conditions. The incident is still under investigation, and it may take weeks before a cause is identified.
Zemek, who was from Oxford, Mississippi, is survived by his wife and three kids. His awards include four Army Commendation Medals and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Abbott, a native of Fulton, Mississippi, is survived by his wife and three children. An Iraq War veteran, Abbott’s awards include the Air Medal with a Valor device and numeral 2, three Army Commendation Medals,…
