Sacramento Native Shane Barnes Identified as Victim in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash in Mediterranean

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Shane Barnes, a 34-year-old native of Sacramento, California, has been identified as one of the five Army aviation special operations forces killed in a tragic helicopter crash in the Eastern Mediterranean over the weekend. The Pentagon confirmed that Barnes was on board an MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter when it experienced an in-flight emergency and crashed into the sea during a routine refueling mission. The incident occurred as part of military training, and the U.S. Army’s Combat Readiness Center is currently conducting an investigation into the crash.

Barnes, who held the rank of chief warrant officer 2, was a graduate of Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California. In a 2015 article for the school’s student publication, Plank, Barnes expressed his deep sense of duty and commitment to serving his country. He stated, “I signed up to keep the evils that plague our world out of my country as best I can. The legacy I choose to leave is that I defended those I love.” After graduating from Jesuit, Barnes attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, on a full-ride Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship. In 2011, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature.

Following his time at Gonzaga, Barnes underwent flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he acquired the skills necessary to become a UH-60L Blackhawk pilot. He subsequently served as a platoon leader and pilot in command in South Korea for two and a half years. During his military career, Barnes made significant contributions as an Instructor Pilot and Fully Mission Qualified pilot, impacting the training of aviators within his formation.

Barnes’s dedication and bravery were recognized through numerous awards and decorations. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device, Air Medal with Combat device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

In addition to Barnes, four other service members lost their lives in the helicopter crash. They have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer of Clarksville, Tennessee; Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone of Gorham, New Hampshire; Sgt. Andrew P. Southard of Apache Junction, Arizona; and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe of Mankato, Minnesota. The crash occurred as the United States has increased its military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East in response to the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel.

President Joe Biden expressed his condolences and offered his prayers to the families and friends of the fallen soldiers. He stated, “Jill and I are praying for the families and friends who have lost a precious loved one. We will never forget their sacrifice and the impact they made in defending our nation.”

The investigation into the helicopter crash is still ongoing, and further details regarding the cause of the accident have not yet been released. As the story continues to develop, KCRA 3 will provide updates on this tragic incident..