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"Texans Serving Texas"

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE:

Texas Military to Conduct Recovery Operations of Apache 

AUSTIN, Texas (September 1, 2016) –Texas Guardsmen will be conducting recovery operations of an AH-64D Apache helicopter today, following a precautionary landing in Wallisville, near Houston, late Tuesday, due to mechanical issues.

“While today’s operation is about the recovery of an Apache, I want to commend our pilots for their quick reaction and landing,” said Maj. Gen. William Smith, Deputy Adjutant-Army and commander of the Texas Army National Guard. “This was a potentially dangerous situation that demonstrates the caliber of our soldiers as they ensured the safety of the citizens in the local area.”

The soldiers on board the aircraft were not injured and were conducting a routine training mission when the landing occurred. 

Soldiers from the Texas National Guard will place a sling around the helicopter and then use a CH-47 Chinook, from Dallas, to recover the aircraft out of the field.  

Citizens in the vicinity of I-10, near Cove and Wallisville, should not be concerned or alarmed, as the recovery is a preplanned and coordinated operation that Texas National Guard air crews are trained to accomplish.

“We would like to thank the public for its continued support of our citizen-soldiers who regularly conduct training across the state of Texas,” said Smith.

The initial causes of the precautionary landing appear to be the result of mechanical failure of the transmission. However, a full inspection of the Apache will occur once it is on the ground and crews can easily access the aircraft.

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The mission of the Texas Military Department (TMD) is to provide the Governor and the President with ready and trained forces in support of the citizens of Texas and State and Federal civil/military authorities at home and abroad.

The Texas Military Department is commanded by the Adjutant General of Texas, the state's senior military official appointed by the governor, and is comprised of the Texas Military Department (formerly the Adjutant General's Department), the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), the Texas Air National Guard (TXANG), the Texas State Guard (TXSG) and the Domestic Operations Command (DOMOPS).

For more information about the Texas Military Department visit our Website at https://tmd.texas.gov.