MN Man, 24, Among 5 Soldiers Killed In Blackhawk Helicopter Crash

MANKATO, MN — A Mankato, Minnesota man is among the five Army soldiers killed in a helicopter crash during routine flight training over the Mediterranean Sea Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday.

Sergeant Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minnesota, was on board the MH-60 Blackhawk, officials said.

Also killed were:

• 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

All five were killed when the helicopter—which was conducting aerial refueling training— "experienced an in-flight emergency resulting in the crash," officials said.

There are no indications the crash was caused by enemy or hostile actions, according to officials.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the fallen," the U.S. Department of Defense wrote Monday. "The U.S. Army's Combat Readiness Center is conducting an investigation into the incident."