Tragedy struck the U.S. Army’s Fort Hood during a training exercise on Wednesday, as two esteemed pilots lost their lives in an AH-64E Apache helicopter crash near Salado, Texas.
The honored soldiers were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead by officials at Fort Hood.
Expressing deep sorrow, Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of the III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, shared, “Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday,” in a statement released by the Army on Friday.
Admiral further emphasized, “The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this resonates throughout our formations and touches our entire community.”
The Army has confirmed the identity of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey as one of the victims of the unfortunate helicopter crash. (U.S. Army Fort Hood Media Center)
Huey entered the Army as a motor transport operator in 2014 and was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in February 2022. The 34-year-old was from Killeen, Texas.
Olmstead entered the Army in January 2023 as a warrant officer candidate, and was assigned to the unit in October 2025. The 25-year-old was a native of Belton, Texas.
Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead died in the helicopter crash. (U.S. Army Fort Hood Media Center)
“In the difficult days ahead, our priority is to ensure these families and our Soldiers have the care and support they need,” Admiral said. “We are making all appropriate resources available to those affected by this loss.”
The soldiers died when their helicopter crashed into a field near Salado, roughly 30 minutes from Fort Hood. The crash sparked a wildfire in the area which necessitated a large emergency response.
The Army is investigating the crash.
A firefighting helicopter responds to a wildfire sparked by a deadly military helicopter crash near Salado, Texas. (KDTX)
“A safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, arrived Aug. 13 and will lead the safety investigation of the mishap,” Fort Hood added in the statement.
News Media contacted the U.S. Army for further comment.