New Hampshire Service Member Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone among Five Army Aviation Special Operations Forces Killed in Helicopter Crash over the Mediterranean

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Hampshire Soldier Among Five Army Aviation Special Operations Forces Killed in Mediterranean Helicopter Crash

WASHINGTON (WCAX) – Tragedy struck over the weekend as a U.S. Army helicopter crashed during an air refueling mission in the eastern Mediterranean, resulting in the deaths of five Army aviation special operations forces. Among the fallen heroes was Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, a 26-year-old service member from Gorham, New Hampshire.

The UH-60 helicopter, identified as the aircraft involved in the crash, was part of a military training exercise conducted by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The incident occurred during an air refueling operation, leading to the unfortunate loss of these brave soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Tanner Grone enlisted in the Army back in 2017 as a UH-60 repairer. Throughout his military career, he served as a flight instructor and MH-60M crew chief for the 160th. His dedication and commitment took him to various deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he showcased exceptional bravery. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was honored with numerous awards, including the Air Medal with Combat device, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal with combat device.

Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire expressed his heartfelt condolences to Grone’s family, stating, “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Staff Sgt. Grone and his four fellow soldiers who perished. Their bravery and devotion to this nation, and the protection of our freedoms, shall never be forgotten.”

The four other soldiers killed in the helicopter crash were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer from Clarksville, Tennessee; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes from Sacramento, California; Sgt. Andrew P. Southard from Apache Junction, Arizona; and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe from Mankato, Minnesota. All of them were part of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, the commander of the Army Special Operations Command, expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting the strong military lineage and dedication these fallen soldiers possessed. He said, “This is devastating news that reverberates across the entire Special Operations community. Every loss is tough, but in this case, service to the Nation is truly a family business, and it’s hard to express the amount of sorrow that we all feel right now.”

The fallen soldiers were highly decorated, with multiple combat deployments under their belts. Their loss will undoubtedly be felt within the entire military community.

This tragic incident comes at a time when the United States has increased its force presence in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East in response to the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th.

As the nation mourns the loss of these brave soldiers, their sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication and bravery exhibited by the men and women who serve in the U.S. military. The memory of Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone and his comrades will forever be etched in the hearts of those who honor their service..