The U.S. Army has released the names of the two aviators who died when their Apache attack helicopter went down in Central Texas on Wednesday afternoon. 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, which the service classified as a "mishap."
The AH-64E Apache helicopter was on a maintenance test flight when it crashed around 1:40 p.m. in a field near Fort Hood, according to Army officials. The aircraft did not strike any structures, but the impact sparked a wildfire that forced several nearby homes to be evacuated, as reported by The Associated Press.
Huey, who served as a pilot, had been in the Army since February 2014, initially enlisting as a motor transport operator before becoming a warrant officer. Olmstead, also a pilot, joined the Army in January 2023 as a warrant officer candidate. Both were assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood.
The crash is the latest in a series of military aviation incidents that have raised questions about training and readiness. Earlier this year, an Army Apache went down in a similar incident, and the Marine Corps also suffered a fatal F-35 crash at Miramar Air Station in San Diego. These events have prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols across the armed forces.
The Army has deployed a safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama, to determine the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet indicated whether mechanical failure, human error, or environmental factors played a role.
Fort Hood, recently renamed Fort Cavazos, is one of the Army's largest installations and has seen a number of training accidents in recent years. The loss of two experienced aviators is a significant blow to the unit, which relies on Apache crews for close air support and reconnaissance missions.
Governor Greg Abbott offered condolences on social media, saying, "Texas mourns the loss of these brave soldiers who dedicated their lives to protecting our nation." Local officials also expressed support for the families and the military community.
The investigation is expected to take several weeks, with a preliminary report likely to be released to the public. Meanwhile, the Army has grounded all non-essential Apache flights pending a safety review, a standard precaution following such incidents.
This tragedy underscores the inherent risks of military aviation and the sacrifices made by service members and their families. As the Army continues its probe, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Huey and Olmstead and ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent future losses.
