An Idaho Army National Guard helicopter crashed Thursday night during a training mission, killing the two people aboard, the AP reports. The Apache combat helicopter crashed at approximately 7 p.m. about two miles south of the National Guard base at Gowen Field near the Boise International Airport. "The men and women of the Idaho National Guard are united in grief at the loss of two of our brothers in arms, who gave their lives while training to defend our nation," Maj. Gen. Gary Sayler, commander of the Idaho National Guard, said in a statement. "Today, our thoughts and prayers are with their families." Click below for a full report from the Associated Press. Gov. Butch Otter, U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and congressmen Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson all issued statements this morning on the deaths.

"This tragedy reminds us of the enormous sacrifice and great risk involved in military service," Otter said. "I ask all Idahoans to join me in honoring these courageous citizen soldiers along with all those who have gone before them in defense of the liberties we hold so dear.” Labrador said, "Their sacrifice is a sober reminder of the price of freedom." Risch said, "This once again reminds us of the dangers our dedicated servicemen and women face, at home and abroad, as they work hard to keep America safe.” Crapo said, “My thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and the entire Idaho National Guard community during this difficult time.” Simpson said, “Please keep these families and the men and women of the Idaho National Guard in your thoughts today.”

The two who were killed were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 4 Stien P. Gearhart, 50, of Meridian; and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jon L. Hartway, 43, of Kuna. Both soldiers were assigned to the 1-183^rd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard, Gowen Field.

2 killed in Idaho National Guard copter crash 

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Defense Department will investigate the crash of an Idaho Army National Guard helicopter during a training mission that killed both people aboard, a military spokesman says.

National Guard spokesman Col. Tim Marsano confirmed the deaths of the two male pilots but did not release any details on them pending notification of relatives.

The Apache combat helicopter crashed around 7 p.m. Thursday about two miles south of the National Guard base at Gowen Field near Boise International Airport, Marsano said. It wasn't immediately clear whether the pilots were heading to or returning from a mission, he said.

Marsano said he didn't know whether any communication was heard from the helicopter prior to the crash. There was no fire, he said.

The Idaho Army National Guard had 16 Apache helicopters at its Gowen Field training base.

The Idaho Guard has a training area about 20 miles south of Gowen Field, but pilots also train over other areas, the spokesman said.

"The men and women of the Idaho National Guard are united in grief at the loss of two of our brothers in arms, who gave their lives while training to defend our nation," Maj. Gen. Gary Sayler, commander of the Idaho National Guard, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families."

Boise firefighters initially responded to the crash but then turned the scene over to the National Guard, Fire Chief Dennis Doan said.

Ada County sheriff's deputies secured the site and blocked media access.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press