MENDON, N.Y. — The New York National Guard has released the identities of the three soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in the town of Mendon.

According to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Steven Skoda, 54, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christian Koch, 39, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Prial, 30, were on a routine training mission Wednesday night when their UH-60 medical evacuation helicopter went down along West Bloomfield Road.

The aircraft and crew were assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion. They were based at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport. Officials say the crew had been conducting night vision goggle proficiency training the night of the crash.

Officer Skoda, 54, was a 35-year veteran of the Army and National Guard. The highly decorated veteran helicopter pilot instructor served in Afghanistan and was known as a friend and mentor who trained and supported hundreds of other soldiers throughout his career. 

Skoda lived in Rochester.

Officer Koch, 39, was a 20-year veteran of the National Guard. Also highly decorated, Koch served in Afghanistan and Iraq, later helping with a security mission in the U.S. after the September 11 attacks. He became a helicopter pilot in 2006 and was also a senior instructor in the unit at the aviation support facility in Rochester.

In his civilian life, Christian Koch was a pilot for the New York State Police. Spectrum News profiled him when he was recently honored by the Red Cross of Western New York for helping rescue an 11-year-old boy who fell into a gorge.

Koch was married with children and lived in Honeoye Falls. A GoFundMe account has been started to help his family.

And Officer Prial, 30, had been with the Army since 2012. The West Point graduate was also decorated, served in Afghanistan, and was a medical evacuation platoon leader with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was working as a federal technician at the aviation facility.

Prial's friends and fellow soldiers say he was humble and focused on his family. He lived in Rochester.

An Army Safety Investigation team arrived at the scene on Thursday and is working to determine whether potential human, equipment, environmental factors played a role in the crash.

In a statement the New York National Guard said:

"These Soldiers were a part of our National Guard family and we mourn their loss, alongside their family members and loved ones. The New York National Guard will be there for these family members as they navigate these trying times. Our chaplains and casualty assistance officers will be with them whenever needed. Our service members wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the members of law enforcement, first responders, and the community at large for their support and sympathy during this trying time."

The remains of the three soldiers were transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office on Thursday.

The Monroe County Sherrif's Office says the road along the crash site will remain closed through Saturday, with the exception of residential homeowners. This will be re-evaluated Sunday morning.