WASHINGTON (Agencies): The U.S. Army has encountered a critical situation with two Apache helicopter crashes occurring within a mere 48-hour span. The most recent incident occurred when an AH-64 Apache from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division crashed during a routine training exercise near Fort Carson, Colorado on Wednesday evening. Fortunately, the two pilots onboard sustained only minor injuries and were promptly taken to the on-base hospital for evaluation. They were subsequently released the same night.
This unfortunate event marks the second Apache crash in just 48 hours. Earlier, the same helicopter model went down at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, resulting in injuries to both pilots assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade during another routine training exercise.
These incidents follow two other Apache mishaps in February. In one instance, a Mississippi National Guard Apache helicopter crashed, tragically claiming the lives of the two pilots aboard. In another incident, a Utah National Guard Apache went down, but thankfully both pilots survived. These events prompted the Army to ground all of its National Guard helicopter units for a comprehensive safety review.
The military has faced challenges with rotary-wing aircraft accidents over the past several years. Notably, in November, five soldiers lost their lives when their MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed over the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, eight Marines perished when their V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed near Japan during the same month. And in March 2023, nine troops were killed when two Black Hawks collided near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Despite these setbacks, the U.S. Army remains committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel and enhancing aviation protocols. Investigations into these recent Apache crashes will shed light on any necessary improvements to prevent such incidents in the future.