Pentagon identifies the 5 U.S. troops killed in a navy helicopter crash over the Mediterranean

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Monday recognized the 5 Army aviation particular operations forces killed when their UH-60 helicopter crashed within the Eastern Mediterranean.

The navy’s European Command stated the helicopter went down over the weekend throughout an air refueling mission as a part of navy coaching.

The 5 service members who died had been 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; and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minnesota.

The U.S. has constructed up its power presence within the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel. There are two service strike teams working within the area, U.S. Air Force squadrons have obtained extra crews and warplanes, and U.S. particular operations forces have been added to assist Israel in efforts to rescue hostages taken into Gaza.

Army aviation particular operations forces are assigned to the a hundred and sixtieth Special Operations Aviation Regiment based mostly at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The group has virtually 3,000 troopers and greater than 200 plane, in keeping with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.