"This is a tremendous loss to the Idaho National Guard and our community," Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, adjutant general of Idaho and commander of the Idaho National Guard, said in the release. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones as we work through this tragedy." The Idaho Guard's last contact with the Black Hawk occurred at 7:45 p.m., Col. Christopher Burt, the Idaho Guard's state aviation officer, said in the release. The aircraft's Emergency Transmitter Locator device was activated shortly after 8 p.m., and Burt's team "immediately initiated emergency aircraft recovery procedures, which included air and ground search and rescue crews," according to the release.