The U.S. Army is ordering all Army pilots not involved in critical missions grounded after two recent helicopter crashes have left 12 soldiers dead.
The order from Army Chief of Staff James McConville is grounding aviators until the “required training” is complete.
McConville, a former commander of Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, says pilots will focus on “safety and training protocols” to make sure both them and crews have knowledge to safely complete assigned missions.
Three soldiers died in a helicopter crash Thursday in Alaska, while nine died last month following a helicopter collision in Trigg County.