After two Apache helicopter crashes in February, Army National Guard top officials shut down all components of the National Guard's helicopter fleet, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
An air safety suspension of all helicopter units across the Army National Guard's 54 states and jurisdictions took effect Monday. according to In a release from the National Guard Bureau. Following two crashes of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters on Feb. 12 and Feb. 23, the latter of which killed two pilots, the force will remain in compliance with its “safety policy” until the suspension ends. We plan to review the procedures.
“Safety is always at the forefront of our minds. We stand back to ensure that every crew member is as capable as possible of what is asked of them,” said Army National Guard Chief John A. Lt. Gen. Jensen said in a press release. (Related: Pentagon identifies special operations soldier killed in Black Hawk crash in Mediterranean Sea)
He said the Army National Guard operates helicopter units around the world every day.
Mississippi Army National Guard pilots Warrant Officer 4 Brian Zemek and Chief Warrant Officer Derek Abbott were killed Feb. 23 when their Apache crashed during a routine training mission, according to a statement.
In early February, a Utah Army National Guard Apache crashed and flipped on its side during a training exercise, injuring two crew members. according to to Utah CBS affiliate station KUTV.
In his statement, Jensen did not specify the timing of the withdrawal.
The Army Combat Readiness Center is investigating the cause and circumstances of the two crashes. according to To military news.
A South Carolina Army National Guard AH-64D Apache helicopter assigned to the South Carolina Army National Guard 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion departs for Ft. Stewart, Georgia, undergoes gunnery certification and annual training at McIntire Joint National Guard Base in Eastover, South Carolina, on April 23, 2016. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Robbie Di Giovine/Released)
Separately, the V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft primarily used for transportation and cargo delivery, remains grounded between the services that operate the aircraft. The U.S. military grounded all Osprey aircraft on Dec. 6, one week after a crash off the coast of southern Japan that killed eight Air Force crew members.
It was the latest in a series of alarming and fatal accidents that led the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to ground Osprey units. The Air Force has identified a material defect, but has not yet determined why the part failed. according to For release on February 20th.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a news conference Tuesday that he had no timeline or update to provide regarding the Apache and Osprey's security declines.
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