The United States Pentagon has officially named the five U.S. service members who lost their lives in a military aircraft crash during a training operation in the eastern Mediterranean. The MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, assigned to the first battalion in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, crashed on Friday night during routine flight training, leaving the nation mourning the loss of its heroes.
The fallen heroes
The service members were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, Sgt. Andrew P. Southard and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe. All five were special operations aviation soldiers serving in the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which is based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The Department of Defense revealed that the fatal crash occurred during aerial refueling training when the MH-60 Blackhawk experienced an in-flight emergency, leading to the tragic incident. Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, expressed the profound sorrow felt across the Special Operations community, emphasizing the familial nature of service to the Nation.
Honoring their service
Dwyer, Barnes, Southard, Wolfe, and Grone had distinguished careers in the Army, receiving awards for their exemplary service. Col. Roger P. Waleski Jr., commander of the soldiers’ aviation regiment, referred to them as the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker, a term recognizing soldiers for their proficiency in operating at night. The priority now is ensuring complete support for the families of the fallen warriors as the nation copes with this tragedy.
Military response and investigation
The Pentagon had recently increased its force presence in the Middle East following an attack by Hamas militants on Israel. While the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group were deployed to the eastern Mediterranean, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group were sent to the Persian Gulf. Defense Secretary Austin also reinforced the region with additional air defense systems. The investigation into the nature of the crash is underway.
This is the second fatal helicopter crash involving a unit based at Fort Campbell this year. In March, two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to the 101st Airborne Division collided during a nighttime training flight, claiming the lives of all nine soldiers aboard. Fort Campbell, home to multiple Army aviation units, is now grappling with the loss of the elite soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Personal stories of heroism
Each fallen soldier had a unique story of heroism. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, a pilot and instructor, received awards, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, also a pilot, was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device. Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, a flight instructor and MH-60M crew chief earned accolades such as the Air Medal with Combat device. Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, a UH-60 repairer, completed a 13-month rotation to Task Force Sinai and received Army Commendation medals. Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, a UH-60 repairer, was awarded two Army Commendation medals and an Army Achievement medal.
Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, commander of the Army Special Operations Command, described the fallen soldiers as a “national treasure” with deep military service ties spanning multiple generations. Their sacrifice echoes through the Special Operations community, emphasizing the familial nature of their commitment to the nation.
