The U.S. Army has identified two pilots who died when an AH-64E Apache helicopter crashed during a training exercise near Salado, Texas. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead were killed in the Wednesday crash. The incident ignited a wildfire, triggered a large emergency response and prompted evacuations in the area. A formal Army safety investigation is underway.
Fort Hood identified the soldiers on Friday as members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. The helicopter went down in a field roughly 30 minutes from Fort Hood, near Salado. Investigators from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center arrived the following day to examine the mishap.
| 1) | Army confirms the identities of the two pilots |
| 2) | Military careers of the fallen soldiers |
| 3) | Crash site and wildfire response |
| 4) | Safety investigation begins |
| 5) | Army offers support to families and soldiers |
Army confirms the identities of the two pilots
Fort Hood said the two soldiers died when their AH-64E Apache crashed Wednesday during a training exercise near Salado, a community in Bell County, Texas. The Army identified the pilots as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. Both were assigned to the same aviation unit based at Fort Hood.
The crash occurred in a field about 30 minutes from the installation. Authorities and military personnel responded to the scene after the aircraft went down. The Army has not publicly provided a cause for the crash and said the investigation will determine what happened.
Military careers of the fallen soldiers
Deontre T. Huey, 34, was from Killeen, Texas. He entered the Army in 2014 as a motor transport operator and was assigned to Bravo Company in February 2022. His unit is part of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade and the 1st Cavalry Division.
Seth L. Olmstead, 25, was a native of Belton, Texas. He entered the Army in January 2023 as a warrant officer candidate and joined the unit in October 2025. The Army identified both men as the pilots killed in the helicopter accident.
Crash site and wildfire response
The helicopter crashed into a field near Salado, and the impact sparked a wildfire. The fire required a substantial emergency response, including firefighting operations in the area. Authorities also prompted evacuations as responders worked to manage the blaze and secure the crash site.
The incident combined an aviation emergency with a rapidly developing grass fire, requiring military and local emergency personnel to respond. Available information does not indicate the extent of property damage or provide a final account of the fire’s size. Those details may emerge as officials continue their work.
Safety investigation begins
A safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, arrived on Aug. 13. The team will lead the Army’s safety investigation into the mishap, examining the circumstances surrounding the training flight and the crash site.
The investigation is intended to establish the facts and identify contributing factors. The Army has not announced a preliminary cause, and no conclusions about the accident have been released. Additional findings will depend on the investigators’ review of evidence and records.
Army offers support to families and soldiers
Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, expressed condolences to the families and the wider military community in a statement released by the Army.
“Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday. The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this is felt throughout our formations and our community.”
Admiral said the Army’s priority in the days ahead would be ensuring that the families and soldiers affected by the loss received care and support. He also said appropriate resources were being made available to those affected.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two Army pilots died in an AH-64E Apache crash near Salado, Texas. |
| 2 | The victims were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. |
| 3 | The crash sparked a wildfire and prompted evacuations. |
| 4 | An Army Combat Readiness Center team is leading the safety investigation. |
Summary
The Army has named the two pilots killed in a training exercise crash near Fort Hood. The AH-64E Apache went down near Salado, starting a wildfire and prompting evacuations. Investigators are now examining the accident while Fort Hood provides support to the families, unit and affected soldiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in the Apache helicopter crash?
The Army identified the victims as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, 34, of Killeen, Texas, and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, of Belton, Texas.
Where did the crash occur?
The AH-64E Apache crashed in a field near Salado, Texas, roughly 30 minutes from Fort Hood.
What is known about the investigation?
A safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center arrived Aug. 13 and is leading the investigation. The Army has not announced a cause.
Did the crash cause other emergencies?
Yes. The crash sparked a wildfire, led to a large emergency response and prompted evacuations in the area.
