The U.S. Army is suspending its aviation flights after 12 people were killed in a helicopter crash, a statement said.
“The decision leaves all Army pilots on the ground until they undergo necessary training,” the Army said in a release.
The exception was made only for pilots involved in “critical missions.”
“During this suspension, we will focus on safety and training protocols so that our pilots and other aircrew members have the knowledge, training and awareness necessary to safely perform their assigned missions,” Army Chief of Staff James McConville said.
Two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters crashed in Alaska this week, killing three people. In March, nine military personnel died when two UH-60 Black Hawk transports from the 101st Airborne Division crashed in Kentucky.