Two soldiers from Fort Hood were killed Wednesday afternoon when their AH-64 Apache attack helicopter went down in Central Texas, according to military and local officials. The crash occurred in Salado, a small community in Bell County, and triggered a brush fire that burned more than 150 acres before crews contained it.
The Army confirmed the deaths but withheld the names of the deceased pending notification of next of kin. The helicopter was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, which is now part of the newly designated Fort Cavazos.
Bell County Sheriff's Office public information officer Cliff Coleman said 911 calls began coming in at approximately 1:34 p.m. CDT. The aircraft did not strike any homes or other structures, Coleman told reporters, but he described the scene as “a violent crash.” The soldiers were pronounced dead about an hour later and were transported to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center at Fort Hood.
The crash ignited a wildfire that spread across dry grassland along FM-2843, a highway running through Bell County. Coleman said several residents along that road were evacuated as a precaution. Multiple local fire departments responded, and by late Wednesday evening the Texas A&M Forest Service reported the fire had consumed 155 acres and was 95 percent contained.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, expressed condolences in a statement: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also weighed in on social media, writing that the state “is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation.” The governor's remarks come as Texas has seen a series of military training incidents, and the state remains a key hub for Army aviation operations.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division, with support from the Army's safety center. Apache helicopters are a mainstay of the Army's attack fleet, but they have experienced a number of fatal accidents in recent years, prompting scrutiny of training and maintenance procedures.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of military aviation mishaps. In 2023, a series of Army helicopter crashes raised questions about readiness and safety protocols. The Pentagon has since ordered reviews of training and risk management, but Wednesday's crash suggests challenges remain.
Local officials praised the rapid response of emergency crews and the cooperation between military and civilian authorities. Coleman noted that the evacuation was handled smoothly, and no civilians were injured.
The Army has not yet released a timeline for the investigation, but such probes typically take several months. Meanwhile, the Fort Hood community mourns the loss of two service members, and flags at the installation were ordered to half-staff.
