The Army has temporarily grounded its entire fleet of AH-64 Apache helicopters after a training crash near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two pilots and sparked a wildfire; the service has launched a safety investigation while commanders express condolences and local authorities respond to the scene.

Breaking: Army Grounds All Apache Helicopters After Fatal Texas Crash

Fort Hood has identified the two pilots killed when an AH-64E Apache crashed during a training flight near Salado, Texas. The pilots were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, both assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division.

After the crash, which ignited a field fire and required a major emergency response, the Army announced a temporary grounding of all Apache helicopters. A U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center team has arrived to lead a safety investigation into what happened during the training flight.

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Two Army pilots have now been identified after a training flight near Fort Hood ends in tragedy.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, were killed when their AH-64E Apache crashed into a field near Salado, Texas, sparking a wildfire and a major emergency response.

“Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday,” Fort Hood commanding general Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral says.

Both soldiers served with the 1st Cavalry Division. A U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center team has arrived to lead the safety investigation into the crash.

“The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this is felt throughout our formations and our community,” said Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general. Command leaders have been carrying out notifications and coordinating with local emergency services in the wake of the accident.

Officials confirmed the identities and provided brief service histories for both pilots, noting their recent assignments and backgrounds. Huey entered the Army as a motor transport operator in 2014 and later joined the aviation unit, while Olmstead entered as a warrant officer candidate and was assigned to the unit in October 2025.

Huey was 34 and a native of Killeen, Texas, and Olmstead was 25 and from Belton, Texas. Both served with the 1st Cavalry Division, with records showing Huey assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade.

The crash site prompted firefighting crews and first responders to battle a wildfire triggered by the wreckage, and investigators have been documenting the scene to determine cause. The Army’s temporary grounding aims to allow a thorough review of maintenance records, recent flight activity, and any potential systemic issues affecting AH-64 operations.

Commanders emphasized the need to balance operational readiness with safety, saying the precautionary halt will remain while the safety investigation proceeds. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center typically conducts such inquiries to identify root causes and recommend corrective measures for airworthiness and training protocols.

Local authorities and military officials are coordinating public safety measures while the investigation is active, and families of the fallen are being supported through casualty assistance channels. Community leaders near Fort Hood have expressed sympathy and are working with the base to address immediate needs stemming from the incident.

Military aviation safety teams will likely examine aircraft maintenance history, recent parts and inspections, pilot training records, weather conditions at the time of the flight, and airspace activity. The results of that work will drive any further operational decisions or changes to flight rules for Apache crews.

As investigators work, officials have made clear that updates will come through official Army channels and that the priority is both the families of the deceased and ensuring the force can operate safely. This temporary grounding affects all AH-64 Apache variants in U.S. Army service while the inquiry is underway.