The Army has resumed AH-64 Apache flight training operations one week after a fatal crash of one of its helicopters killed two pilots.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Army said they had resumed the operations “after a thorough review of safety procedures and flight operations” that had caused it to temporarily pause their use.
It comes after one of the helicopters based at Fort Hood crashed Aug. 12 in Salado, Texas, roughly 30 miles south-east of the base, according to the U.S. Army Fort Hood Media Center. Sheriffs from Bell County, where Salado is located, said they received a 911 call about the crash after 1:30 p.m. local time. Spokesperson Cliff Coleman described the scene to CNN as “a violent crash.”
The crash caused the death of the two pilots on board, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Omstead, 25, both assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Huey joined the Army in February 2014 as a motor transport operator and had been with the unit since February 2022, according to CBS Austin. Olmstead joined the Army in January 2023 as a warrant officer candidate, and had been assigned to the unit since October 2025.
They were the only two people on board.
It also caused a fire which burned some 155 acres in Bell County. Firefighters contained the flames by 5 p.m. local time Aug. 13, according to CNN, citing the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.
As a result of the crash, the Army announced a “temporary stand-down” of AH-64 Apache flight training operations on August 14.
“Army leaders directed a temporary stand-down of AH64 Apache training flight operations,” the Army said in a statement at the time. “The stand-down will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident.”
The Use of Apache Helicopters in the Army
The Army has used these Apache helicopters since 1984. They have proved important in the U.S.’s war with Iran, regularly flying around the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the 1980s, the Army has deployed more than 5,000 Apaches, according to ABC.
“We remain deeply saddened by the loss of our service members,” the Army said in a statement. “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.”
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