The U.S. is mourning the loss of five Army Special Operation troops who were killed in a helicopter crash in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea over the weekend. According to the U.S. European Command, the five soldiers were killed when their MH-60 helicopter went down “during a routine air refueling mission as part of military training.”
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The Pentagon announced that the cause of the crash late Friday, Nov. 10, is under investigation, but there is no indication that it was the result of “hostile activity.” Search and rescue teams were dispatched and worked into Saturday, Nov. 11, before being called off.
The Special Operations crew was in the area to assist if needed with American evacuations amid the Israel-Hamas war, according to officials familiar with the situation.
President Joe Biden released a statement on Sunday, Nov. 12, mourning the loss of the five troops.
“They [service members] willingly take risks to keep the American people safe and secure. And their daily bravery and selflessness is an enduring testament to what is best in our nation,” Biden said. “Jill and I are praying for the families and friends who have lost a precious loved one—a piece of their soul. Our entire nation shares their grief.”
The Pentagon released the names of the five service members on Monday, Nov. 13:
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, 38 of Clarksville, Tennessee
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, 34, of Sacramento, California
- Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, 26, of Gorham, New Hampshire
- Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Apache Junction, Arizona
- Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minnesota.
“While we continue to gather more information about this deadly crash, it is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
