Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, were killed Friday when their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed during a routine training flight. (Mississippi National Guard)

The Mississippi National Guard paid tribute to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, who were killed when their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed during a routine training flight.

The crash occurred Friday about 2 p.m. near Booneville, Miss., the Guard said. Booneville is located in the northeast corner of the state near the Alabama-Tennessee state line.

“Today is a devastating day for the Mississippi National Guard as we mourn the loss of two of our brave brothers in arms,” Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, said in a statement Saturday. “This accident serves as a constant reminder of the selfless service, sacrifice and commitment that our brave service men and women face while performing in the line of duty.” 

On Monday, officials in Booneville held a procession in honor of the Guardsmen. The ceremony began at a hospital in Booneville, near where the helicopter crashed. It continued south along Highway 45 to Pearl, where autopsies will be conducted. 

“These two Guardsmen embodied the very best of our nation — bound by honor and committed to service,” President Joe Biden said in a written statement over the weekend. “We will continue to keep our solemn promise to care for their families, just as they were faithful to our nation.”

Zemek was in Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment serving as an AH-64 Delta Apache Standardization Instructor Pilot in Tupelo. Abbott was in Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit serving as a maintenance test pilot.

Zemek, a native of Oxford, Miss., is survived by his wife of three years and their four children. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

Abbott, a combat veteran who served in Iraq, is a native of Fulton, Miss. He is survived by his wife of 18 years and their three children. His awards include the Air Medal with Valor and numeral 2; Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Combat Action Badge; and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

The accident is under investigation.

“Our paramount concern at this time is to ensure proper casualty assistance is available to support the surviving family members through this difficult time,” Boyles said. “Our hearts are truly broken at the loss of these two members of our family.”

The latest crash comes after five Marines died in a helicopter crash more than two weeks ago outside of San Diego. The Marines were killed Feb. 6 when their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went down at Pine Valley, Calif. The crew were on a night flight between Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas and Miramar. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Contributing: The Associated Press