Minnesotan Cade Wolfe among 5 soldiers killed in helicopter crash in Mediterranean Sea
MINNEAPOLIS — The United States Department of Defense on Monday confirmed that a soldier from Minnesota was among five soldiers killed during military aircraft training over the Mediterranean Sea.
The DOD says the soldiers were in an MH-60 Blackhawk conducting aerial refueling training Friday when the helicopter "experienced an in-flight emergency" that resulted in the crash. The DOD says 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.
The DOD released the identities of the deceased on Monday, including 24-year-old Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe of Mankato, Minnesota.
The other soldiers were identified as:
- 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
According to the DOD, the U.S. Army's Combat Readiness Center is investigating the crash.
The Defense Department sent additional U.S. forces to the Middle East in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel.
The USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group were deployed to the eastern Mediterranean in the days immediately after the attack.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group were sent to the Persian Gulf as U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have seen an increase in attacks by Iran-backed Shia militia groups in recent weeks.
Mankato Community Reacts To Cade's Death
It's clear that Cade, who graduated from Mankato East High School in 2018, was well-loved in the community.
WCCO spoke Monday with two of Cade's former teachers. They said he was a loving, outgoing and motivated young man with a big personality.
They said that even while Cade was in school, he knew he wanted to go into the military and felt it was his purpose.
Amber Prange, his former social studies teacher, remembers Cade as a student who always stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Every now and then, certain topics like veterans and wars and sacrifice, those come up and some kids, you can see the light bulb kind of go on about why it's important to honor those who serve our country and why that sacrifice is a huge deal, and I remember seeing that in him specifically," Prange said.
WCCO's Esme Murphy spoke with Cade's father, Scott Wolfe. Scott confirmed with Esme that he survived the 1994 "Green Ramp" disaster, which was a mid-air collision that killed 24 service members at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina.
Statements from POTUS, Secretary of Defense
President Joe Biden released a statement on the fatal helicopter crash Sunday. Read it in full 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."
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III also released a statement Sunday.
"We mourn the tragic loss of five U.S. service members during a training accident in the Mediterranean Sea late Friday evening.
"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. They represent the best of America. We will remember their service and their sacrifice.
"My prayers are with the patriots we have lost today and their families, loved ones, and teammates."
