2 Killed in Military Helicopter Crash in Texas

The crash also started a wildfire that required containment.

A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter flies past during the joint multinational exercise Garuda Shield 2025 at the Baturaja combat training center in Lampung, Indonesia, on Sept. 3, 2025. Perdiansyah/AFP via Getty Images

Two people died when a U.S. Army Apache helicopter crashed in Bell County, Texas, on Wednesday.

The aircraft was based out of Fort Hood, near Killeen, and came down in Salado, about 20 miles away.

The two occupants, who have yet to be identified, died in the crash, which also started a wildfire that required containment.

The wildfire forced several residents of Salado to evacuate their homes, though no building damage has been reported.

Emergency services, military responders, and law enforcement rushed to the scene.

“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” said Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.”

According to manufacturer Boeing, the Apache AH-64 is “the world’s most advanced, proven attack helicopter” that is used by “19 countries and counting.”

An Apache is typically crewed by two people, has a length and height of 48.2 feet and 15.5 feet, respectively, and weighs a little over 15,000 lbs. when outfitted for most missions. There are currently more than 1,300 of these helicopters in service around the world, and they have seen a collective 1.3 million flight hours of combat.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a breaking story that will be updated.