2 Soldiers Dead in Texas Helicopter Crash

Two U.S. soldiers died Wednesday afternoon when their helicopter reportedly crashed during a “routine training flight” in Texas. The AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed into the water in Galveston Bay about 3:50 p.m., said Texas Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Glen Webb. It had lifted off from Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. The soldiers, who were in the Texas Army National Guard’s 149th Attack Helicopter Battalion, have not yet been publicly identified. The crash is under investigation. “All of our pilots are highly trained, highly qualified veterans who have been flying this aircraft for many years,” said Texas Air National Guard Master Sgt. Sean Cowher. Further details about the crash were not immediately available.