APACHE JUNCTION, AZ: Andrew Southard, a 27-year-old serviceman from Arizona, was one of the five US soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash during a standard training drill. The soldier reportedly started out as a 15T UH-60 "Black Hawk" repairer in 2015, as per the Department of Defense.
The event, which has profoundly impacted the military fraternity and the wider community, took place over the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Sgt Andrew P Southard from Apache Junction had an illustrious military career spanning eight years. His journey involved various assignments, the acquisition of numerous skills, and the receipt of multiple accolades, per AZ Central.
What happened to the Arizona soldier?
Southard served in the First Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade in Fort Bliss, Texas, and later rotated to Task Force Sinai in Egypt. He then reported to Fort Campbell's 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. After completing training, he volunteered for the 160th SOAR and served as an MH-60M Crew Chief.
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Southard was reportedly deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. He graduated from various courses and received numerous awards and decorations, including two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, a Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, an Army Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge.
Southard, along with four other soldiers - Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R Dwyer, 38, from Clarksville, Tennessee; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M Barnes, 34, from Sacramento, California; Staff Sgt Tanner W Grone, 26, from Gorham, New Hampshire; and Sgt Cade M Wolfe, 24, from Mankato, Minnesota - were tragically involved in the accident during a routine flight training session.
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The unfortunate incident was verified by a statement from the Department of Defense.
The department announced in a statement on Monday that the accident occurred during regular flight training. There were no signs suggesting that the crash resulted from hostile actions or malicious intent.
How did the tragedy happen?
During an aerial refueling training, the soldiers' aircraft, an MH-60 Blackhawk, encountered a midflight emergency that led to the crash, as reported by the department. The five men were all members of the First Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
"This is devastating news that reverberates across the entire Special Operations community," Lt Gen Jonathan Braga, commander of the US Army Special Operations Command, stated.
"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."
In a statement, Col Roger P Waleski Jr, who is Southard's commander, expressed that the five men were considered to be some of the best soldiers in the nation. "Their loss has left an indelible void within this Regiment that will never be fulfilled."
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