WEST JORDAN, Utah –
PRESS RELEASE 24-005, Feb. 13, 2024
Contact: Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber (801) 716-9063
For Immediate Release
Update to statements on AH-64D Incident at South Valley Regional Airport on Feb. 12, 2024
DRAPER, Utah – The Utah National Guard releases an update following the incident involving one AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter from the 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment that occurred approximately 1:20 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2024, at the South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan.
Two pilots were involved in this incident resulting in both being transported to a local hospital. The Utah National Guard confirms that one pilot was released after being monitored and observed by hospital staff at or around 6 p.m. last night. The other pilot, from the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, remains in the hospital but is in stable condition and has been communicating with friends and family members. The pilots’ names will not be released to preserve their privacy.
A team of incident investigators from the Army’s Combat Readiness Center out of Fort Novosel, Alabama are expected to arrive in Utah this afternoon to formally begin an investigation into the details surrounding the incident. These investigations may take up to 90 days to complete, and the results will not be released publicly as a matter of Army policy. Redacted reports of investigations such as this may be requested through FOIA from the https://home.army.mil/novosel/foia.
The Utah National Guard’s 1-211th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion currently has a total of 18 AH-64D helicopters. The unit flies more than 3000 hours a year and is one of four Apache battalions in the Army National Guard. Its mission is to provide combat air capability to ground forces and prepare future warfighting capabilities. As part of this mission the unit trains jointly with Army and other military branches to better communicate through systems and processes to compliment capabilities and support. Missions like the one that was flown yesterday is a routine mission that aligns with the military priorities of joint and integrated warfare.
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For additional questions contact Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber at 801-716-9063 (text) or email at ng.utngpao@army.mil.