Two U.S. soldiers were killed Wednesday when an Army Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field near Fort Hood, Texas, sparking a wildfire that forced nearby homes to evacuate.
The Fort Hood-based AH-64 Apache was on a routine training flight when it crashed near Salado, about 50 miles north of Austin, shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time, according to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency responders received multiple 911 calls reporting the crash and a large fire. When deputies arrived, they found the wreckage and what officials initially described as an uncontrolled blaze.
“You could tell it was a violent crash,” Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cliff Coleman said during a news conference Wednesday.
The two soldiers aboard the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld until their families have been notified.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” Brigadier General Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said in a statement.
The crash did not injure anyone on the ground, and no buildings or other structures were damaged, officials said.
It nevertheless ignited a significant grass fire, which grew to roughly 155 acres and prompted evacuations. By Wednesday evening, the blaze was about 85% contained, according to local reporting. Emergency crews from multiple fire departments responded to the scene as officials urged residents to avoid the area.
The AH-64E Apache is a two-seat Army attack helicopter used for armed reconnaissance, close combat, mobile strikes and other missions.
Fort Hood’s Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the crash.
“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” Diven said. “Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.”
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott also offered condolences to the soldiers’ families and the Fort Hood community.
“Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community,” Abbott wrote on X. “Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation.”