On August 12, a tragic incident involving a U.S. Army helicopter resulted in the loss of two soldiers near Salado, Texas. The Fort Hood military base has confirmed the identities of the deceased as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. The incident occurred during a maintenance test flight involving an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/seth-L.-Olmstead-Deontre-T.-Huey-81426-ba02d9cd446c41079405a02098ab5571.jpg)
Military officials report that both soldiers were assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, which operates under the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of III Armoured Corps and Fort Hood, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers. He emphasised the rippling impact of such tragedies on both military formations and the broader community.
The incident took place around 1:34 p.m. local time, when the Bell County Sheriff’s Office received notifications about the helicopter crash. Public Information Officer Cliff Coleman reported that the crash site was located approximately half a mile west of Kuykendall Road. Emergency responders declared the soldiers dead at around 2:30 p.m., and their remains were subsequently transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center for identification and formal procedures.
Witnesses described the crash as violent, with a significant fire erupting subsequently. Efforts to contain the blaze continued into the following day, with local news outlets confirming that the fire was eventually under control. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center dispatched a safety investigation team to the scene to conduct an in-depth examination of the accident, collaborating with Fort Hood personnel and local law enforcement agencies.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey, aged 34, hailed from Killeen, Texas. He began his military career in 2014 as a motor transport operator and had been assigned to his current unit since February 2022. Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, aged 25, was a more recent recruit, having begun his service in 2023 as a warrant officer candidate, and was part of the same unit since October 2025.
As the investigation continues, Lt. Gen. Admiral assured that the priority remains on providing support and care for the families and soldiers affected by this heartbreaking incident. “In the difficult days ahead, our priority is to ensure these families and our soldiers have the care and support they need,” he declared.
In the wake of the tragedy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended his condolences via social media. He called upon the community to join him and his wife in prayer for the families of the fallen soldiers and the larger Fort Hood community. “Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation,” Abbott stated.
The crashed Apache helicopter was stationed at Fort Hood, which is one of the United States’ major military installations. The Apache is a twin-engine, four-bladed helicopter renowned for its versatility in attack missions. It typically accommodates two personnel: a pilot located in the rear and a co-pilot/gunner in the front.
As the investigation unfolds, the British public remains committed to supporting the men and women of our armed forces and their families, particularly during times of loss. This incident serves as a solemn reminder of the risks that military personnel face in their service to the country.