The U.S. Army announced Wednesday it will resume Apache helicopter training missions after a one‑week suspension following a Texas crash that killed two soldiers.
Army Resumes Apache Training After Texas Crash
The Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama, continues investigating the Aug. 12 crash near Fort Hood, Texas, which occurred when the Apache went down in a grassy field about 30 miles from the base.
Training flights were halted on Aug. 14, and the Army said the pause will end “after a thorough review of safety procedures and flight operations.”
“We remain deeply saddened by the loss of our service members. Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, and fellow Soldiers as we honor their service and the lasting impact they had on the Army community,” the Army said.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, of Killeen, Texas, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, of Belton, Texas, were killed in the crash, the Army confirmed last week.
The aircraft crashed in a field near the Salado community, roughly 30 miles from Fort Hood, and was the only aircraft on board.
Both men served in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division; Huey entered the Army in 2014 and Olmstead in 2023.
Fort Hood, a 214,968‑acre installation used to train and deploy forces, has faced prior tragedies, including a November 2015 Black Hawk crash that killed four soldiers and a 2016 flood‑related vehicle accident that claimed nine lives.
Three years ago, a separate crash in Alaska and Kentucky killed 12 soldiers, prompting the Army to ground all aviation units until additional training was completed.
The Apache attack helicopter, introduced in 1984, has seen more than 5,000 units deployed worldwide and remains a key asset in current operations.
Apaches are currently operating around the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to keep the navigation channel open, following an incident in which an Iranian drone downed an Apache, leading to U.S. self‑defense strikes.
Officials said the training suspension applies only to domestic flights, while combat operations continue uninterrupted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
