By Courtney Kube and Mosheh Gains -
NBC News
The Army grounded its aircraft on Friday after two fatal helicopter crashes, the latest of which killed three soldiers and injured a fourth on Thursday in Alaska.
The order of the Chief of Staff of the Army, James McConville, leaves all the airmen of that body on the ground, except those on critical missions, until they carry out training, according to the Army in a statement.
"The safety of our Airmen is our top priority and this recall is an important step to make sure we are doing everything we can to prevent accidents and protect our personnel," McConville said.
A Black Hawk helicopter flies during a demonstration by US troops in Romania on March 31, 2023.Getty Images
In the past two months,
12 soldiers have been killed in helicopter crashes during training exercises.
On Thursday, three servicemen were killed and a fourth injured after two Apache helicopters collided during a training flight in Alaska and crashed, the 11th reported.
Airborne Division.
On March 29, nine soldiers were killed when the two Black Hawk helicopters collided west of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
"During this stop, we will focus on safety and training protocols to ensure that our pilots and crews have the necessary knowledge, training and awareness to safely carry out their assigned mission," McConville said in the statement.
Two plane crashes end in flames and sow panic among passengers in the US.
April 24, 202304:04
The Army said that it will review "the approval and risk management process", training on aircraft maintenance and preparation of instructions and flight plans, aimed at reducing risks, among other issues.
The cause of Thursday's crash in Alaska is under investigation
, and the identities of the deceased soldiers have not been released.
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They belonged to the 1st.
Attack Battalion, 25th.
Aviation Regiment, established at Fort Wainwright.
The accident happened near Healy, a community about 80 miles southwest of the military base in Fairbanks, military command said.