Sacramento native among 5 soldiers killed in helicopter crash in Mediterranean Sea
SACRAMENTO — A soldier from Sacramento was among five killed during military aircraft training over the Mediterranean Sea on Friday.
The Department of Defense says the soldiers were in an MH-60 Blackhawk conducting aerial refueling training when the helicopter "experienced an in-flight emergency" that resulted in the crash. According to the DOD, there are no indications that the crash was caused by enemy or hostile actions.
A U.S. official earlier confirmed to CBS News the five dead service members were special operations forces who had been deployed to Cyprus in case an evacuation of Lebanon or Israel was ordered.
On Monday, the DOD released the identities of the deceased, including 34-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Shane M. Barnes of Sacramento, California.
Barnes was a 2007 graduate of Jesuit High School. Barnes' mother was also the director of the school's campus ministry program. A mass is being planned for Friday morning at Jesuit High in remembrance of him.
After graduating from Gonzaga University in 2011, training as a pilot at Fort Rucker and defending the no-fly line of the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, Barnes was promoted to a captain of the U.S. Armed Forces in 2015 and then a warrant officer in 2020.
His family said the greatest joy of his life was his wife, Samantha, whom he met in flight school at Fort Rucker, and his two little girls, Amelia, 5, and Katherine, 1.
Barnes had dreamed about serving in the military since the 4th grade. In an interview with the Jesuit High School paper in 2015, he said the legacy he chooses to leave is that he defended those he loves.
His family released a statement about him where they said that in addition to being a Special Operations Pilot, Barnes was an instructor pilot for his unit and enjoyed training others to serve at the highest level. Some of Barnes' awards and decorations over the years include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device, Air Medal with Combat device and Army Commendation, among other campaign awards.
"It's heartbreak," said U.S. Marine veteran Don Harper. "We are training all the time, so these things do happen. People should honor these heroes and all the veterans who are serving."
The other soldiers were identified as:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, 38 of Clarksville, Tennessee
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.
The U.S. Army's Combat Readiness Center is investigating the crash.
Statements from POTUS
On Sunday, President Joe Biden released a statement regarding the crash.
The full statement is below:
"Today, Jill and I mourn the loss of 5 American service members who died when their aircraft crashed in the Mediterranean Sea during a routine training mission. Our service members put their lives on the line for our country every day. They 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. 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. And, during this weekend when we pause to honor our nation's veterans, we once more affirm the sacred obligation we bear to those who volunteer to serve our nation as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors. We pray for the families of all our fallen warriors today and every day."
Reporting from CBS Minnesota contributed to this article.