Idaho National Guard

Investigators say pilots of an Idaho National Guard helicopter lost visual reference of a mountain side during bad weather before crashing near Boise in early February that killed all three onboard.

Idaho National Guard soldiers and airman returned to Boise on Sunday, welcomed by the governor and the adjunct general of Idaho, after assisting with the presidential inauguration last week in Washington D.C.

Gov. Brad Little pleaded with Idaho lawmakers to not end the emergency declaration enacted nearly a year ago to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak at such a pivotal time as the vaccine is being distributed.

About 300 soldiers and airmen with the Idaho National Guard are headed to Washington D.C. to support federal and district agencies during the upcoming presidential inauguration.

Gov. Brad Little has moved Idaho back to Stage-2 of his reopening plan and will deploy 100 guardsmen in response to the rising numbers of COVID-19 infections.

The Idaho National Guard in sending 400 troops to Washington D.C. amid protests in the capital region to work with local police to protect monuments and buildings.