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Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt, NY Army Guard crew chief badly injured in 2024 helicopter crash takes "final flight' with friends

Latham, NY (09/22/2026) — New York Army Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt, a helicopter crew chief who was badly injured in a March 8, 2024, UH-72 Lakota crash on the Texas border, took his "final flight" on Thursday, Sept. 17, to symbolically wrap up his military career.

New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officers 2 Casey Frankoski and John Grassia II, along with Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna, were killed in the crash.

Pratt's injuries put him in a wheelchair.

But that didn't stop the Rensselaer native from taking one final ride on a UH-60M Black Hawk at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Latham, New York.

The " final flight" is a tradition for aviators marking the end of their military careers.

This flight gave his Army Guard aviation colleagues and his family a chance to recognize him, said Col. Paul Baillie, the commander of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Baillie, who formerly commanded Pratt's unit, the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment, flew the mission.

Taking the flight was the closure he needed for his military career, Pratt said.

"The flight was amazing; it felt like riding a bike. It was normal and comfortable. I was ready for this to happen," he explained.

"I was able to help pick the crew that was on the aircraft, each one of them had a huge impact and influence on my military career in supporting me," he added.

Pratt went through months of medical treatment and surgery following the accident. He was medically retired from the Army in April of 2025 after 12 years of service.

At the end of the 45-minute flight, the UH-60 returned to the flight facility after it taxied through an arc of water provided by fire trucks from the Albany International Airport Fire Department.

Fellow aviators turned out to greet him afterwards as well.

Baille said it was important for him to fly this mission for Jacob Pratt.

"It was an absolute honor for me to do this flight and to have this incredible opportunity to do this for Jake and his family," Baille said.

"I brought the remains of Casey and John home and wanted to do this for Jake and his family," Bailie added.

Pratt, a veteran of the Afghan War, grew up in Rensselaer, New York and graduated from high school there. His parents -Kenneth and Kelly-still live there.

After enlisting in the Army National Guard in 2013, he earned the Aviation Badge and Senior Aviation Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge, among other awards.

Pratt's sister Olivia, who moved to Texas to support her brother during his recovery at Veterans Affairs medical center in San Antonio, was recognized for the support she's given to her brother.

Baille presented her with the "Our Lady of Loreto" award. The award, presented by the Army Aviation Association of America, honors individuals who are worthy of special recognition for outstanding support to the Army Aviation Family and Army Aviation Community.

"We recognized his sister here today too because she has done so much for Jake and has been by his side helping him since the accident, and we all in the aviation community appreciate and are grateful for all the support she has given him," Bailie said.

Jacob and Olivia Pratt are now co-hosting a podcast together called "Squeaky Wheels" where they discuss the challenges of dealing with a disability.

Kelley Pratt, said she was excited to see her son sitting the in the crew chief seat of a Black Hawk again, and to see the people who turned out to support him.

"I knew the flight crew today was going to take good care of him, and they have all become the family that we trust and love. We were excited for Jake to have this opportunity; he needed this," she said.

"Aviation and flying have always been such a huge part of his life," his mother emphasized.

Media Attachments

Man in wheelchair shown with helicopter crew and UH-60 in the background.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt poses with the crew who flew his final flight aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk from Army Aviation Support Facility #3 at the Albany International Airport in Latham, NY, on September 17, 2026. In March of 2024 Sgt. 1st Class Pratt was involved in a helicopter crash while patrolling the southwest border outside Rio Grande City, Texas. (New York Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)

Man waves from window of UH-60.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt waves from the crew chief seat as he leaves for his final flight on a UH-60 Black Hawk from Army Aviation Support Facility #3 at the Albany International Airport in Latham, NY, on September 17, 2026. In March of 2024 Sgt. 1st Class Pratt was involved in a helicopter crash while patrolling the southwest border outside Rio Grande City, Texas. (New York Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)

Man in wheelchair is greeted by Soldiers.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt is greeted by fellow aviators after returning to Army Aviation Support Facility #3 at the Albany International Airport in Latham, NY, on September 17, 2026 from his final flight on a UH-60 Black Hawk. In March of 2024 Sgt. 1st Class Pratt was involved in a helicopter crash while patrolling the southwest border outside Rio Grande City, Texas. (New York Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)

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