The U.S. military is contending with a series of deadly Army Apache helicopter crashes that have raised concerns about the safety of its aviation programs. (AP Photo / Ahn Young-joon / File)
"We are a combat force with helicopters training or on mission worldwide every day," said Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen, director of the Army National Guard. "Safety is always at the top of our minds. We will stand down to ensure all of our crews are prepared as well as possible for whatever they’re asked to do."
Since 2012, there were at least 279 deaths involved in U.S. military non-combat aviation crashes, according to data reviewed by Fox News Digital. In total, there were 179 aviation incidents involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Army and Air National Guard in the same time frame.
The Air Force reported 56 incidents, followed by the Navy with 40, Marines with 38, the Army with 23, and both National Guard branches with 23.
The Mississippi National Guard identified the two service members killed last week as Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42. The pair died near Booneville, Mississippi, when their Apache went down in a rural wooded area during a routine training flight, officials said.
None of the pilots in the Utah crash died.
MARINE KILLED IN CAMP PENDLETON TRAINING EXERCISE IDENTIFIED
The five Marines who were killed in a CH-53E helicopter crash in Pine Valley, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2024, were identified: Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, left, of Olathe, Kan., Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Ariz., Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, N.H., and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Mich. (U.S. Marine Corps / CalFIRE)
In September 2023, the Marines Corps also ordered an aviation safety stand down after stealth F-35 jet "mishap" in South Carolina that prompted the pilot to eject the aircraft.
Despite the number of aviation incidents, the military will continue to prioritize safety, Ryder said.
"Safety is always something that we're always going to be concerned about and take seriously, he said. "In every service, you will see senior leadership making safety a priority."
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
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