Army
8 Arkansas National Guard soldiers injured, 1 seriously, in vehicle accident at Fort Chaffee
Stars and Stripes
May 5, 2026
A Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 15, 2023. Eight Arkansas National Guard soldiers were injured May 4, 2026, in a training accident involving three of the trucks. (Russell Youmans/U.S. Army)
Eight Arkansas National Guard soldiers were injured, one seriously, in a military vehicle accident during a training exercise on Monday at Fort Chaffee.
One soldier was evacuated by air for surgery at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, and later transported to Springfield Hospital in Missouri for extended care, according to a statement from the Arkansas National Guard.
Seven other soldiers were treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith; two received X-rays for back and knee injuries. They have all returned to duty, the Guard said.
The accident is under investigation. The brigade immediately ordered a stand-down to focus on hazard prevention and to reinforce safety training, the Guard said. Training, which began Saturday and runs through May 16, will resume on Tuesday.
Three Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks were involved in the accident. The 10-ton trucks are used for logistics and heavy transport.
The soldiers are part of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, based in Northwest Arkansas.