Army grounds helicopter fleet for force-wide safety stand down
By Davis Winkie
Apr 28, 06:57 PM
Editor’s note: This story was updated shortly after publication with additional information from an Army official.
The Army announced Friday evening that its pilots are grounded until they complete a mandatory safety training program in the wake of a series of deadly helicopter crashes.
The service’s top officer, Gen. James McConville, ordered the move after a Thursday evening double Apache helicopter crash in Alaska that claimed the lives of three more soldiers. Nine more died in Kentucky in March when two Black Hawk helicopters collided.
Both crashes occurred during training flights, according to an Army press release, though “there is no indication of any pattern between the two mishaps.” Another two aviators died in February when a Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Alabama.
McConville, an aviator himself, described safety as “our top priority, and this stand down is an important step to make certain we are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel.”
The general added that the training program “will focus on safety and training protocols to ensure our pilots and crews have the knowledge, training and awareness to safely complete their assigned mission.”
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/04/28/army-grounds-helicopter-fleet-for-force-wide-safety-stand-down/
