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The US Army said the stand-down would remain in place until investigators have a clearer understanding of what caused the crash.
An Apache Helicopter Fires A Hellfire Missile During An Exercise. (Image Courtesy: MOD UK)
The US Army has temporarily suspended all Apache helicopter training missions following a fatal crash in Texas that killed two soldiers earlier this week.
The Army said the stand-down would remain in place until investigators have a clearer understanding of what caused the crash. No cause has been released so far.
“The stand-down will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident. We currently have no additional information to share,” the Army said in a statement on Friday.
Two Soldiers Killed In Texas Crash
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T Huey, 34, of Killeen, Texas, and Warrant Officer Seth L Olmstead, 25, of Belton, Texas, were killed when the Apache crashed into a grassy field on Wednesday near Salado, about 48 kilometres from Fort Hood.
The two soldiers were the only people aboard the helicopter.
Huey joined the Army in 2014, while Olmstead enlisted in 2023. Both were assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
A safety investigation team from the Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama, is leading the probe.
“Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday,” said Lt Gen Kevin D Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general.
Apache A Key Army Aircraft
The Apache has been a central part of US Army aviation since the first aircraft was delivered in 1984. More than 5,000 Apaches have been deployed by the US and its allies over the decades.
Fort Hood, one of the US Army’s largest bases, has also witnessed previous training-related tragedies. In 2015, four soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise. In 2016, nine Fort Hood soldiers died after a vehicle was swept away by a rain-swollen creek.
The latest stand-down will affect Apache training missions while the Army investigates the Texas crash.
(With inputs from agencies)
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August 15, 2026, 05:40 IST
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