The Army has identified the two AH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilots who were killed in a crash in Texas. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre Huey, 34, and Warrant Officer Seth Olmstead, 25, were pronounced dead on Wednesday after their aircraft crashed in a field approximately 30 miles from Fort Hood on Tuesday. Huey had served in the U.S. Army since 2014, while Olmstead joined in 2023.
The crash, described as 'violent' by sheriff’s office spokesman Cliff Coleman, is part of a series of military accidents occurring during a time of heightened military readiness. Fort Hood’s commanding general, Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers, stating, 'The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this is felt throughout our formations and our community.'
Both pilots were members of the 1st Cavalry Division, which has evolved from a horse-based to an armor- and helicopter-based force over the 20th century. A safety investigation team from the Army Combat Readiness Center has been deployed from Alabama to lead the investigation into the crash's cause.
The number of military accidents in fiscal 2026 has already exceeded the total for fiscal 2025, which may be linked to increased military activity globally, including the ongoing conflict with Iran. A notable incident occurred in June when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, resulting in the deaths of all eight individuals on board.