The U.S. Department of Defense has identified the five soldiers who died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Cyprus. The crash occurred during a training mission and there is no evidence of enemy involvement. President Biden expressed his condolences and the U.S. Army’s Combat Readiness Center is investigating the incident. K105 reported
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The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has recently identified the five U.S. Army soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash off the southeastern coast of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. These brave soldiers were all part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) based in Fort Campbell.
According to officials from the Defense Department, the MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was engaged in aerial refueling training when it encountered an in-flight emergency, leading to the fatal crash. However, there is no evidence suggesting that the incident was caused by any enemy or hostile actions.
The five soldiers who perished in the crash have been named as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer from Clarksville, Tennessee, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes from Sacramento, California, Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone from Gorham, New Hampshire, Sgt. Andrew P. Southard from Apache Junction, Arizona, and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe from Mankato, Minnesota.
Upon receiving the devastating news of the helicopter crash, President Joe Biden issued a heartfelt statement expressing his sorrow and offering condolences to the families and friends affected by this tragic event. He emphasized the dedication and sacrifice exhibited by service members like these five soldiers, who put their lives on the line every day to ensure the safety and security of the American people.
The president’s statement emphasized the nation’s shared grief and the sacred responsibility to support the families, caregivers, and survivors of those who voluntarily serve in the armed forces. He concluded by expressing prayers for the families of all fallen warriors, both on this day and every day.
The investigation into the incident is currently being conducted by the U.S. Army’s Combat Readiness Center to determine the cause of the crash.
(Photo from top left to bottom right: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, courtesy of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs via the Associated Press)
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
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