160th SOAR Fallen
November 10th, 2023
Top Row (Left to Right): CW3 Stephen R. Dwyer, CW2 Shane Barnes, SSG Tanner W. Grone
Bottom Row (Left to Right): SGT Andrew P. Southard, SGT Cade M. Wolfe
On November 10th, 2023, CW3 Stephen R. Dwyer, CW2 Shane M. Barnes, SSG Tanner W. Grone, SGT Andrew P. Southard, and SGT Cade M. Wolfe, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash during a training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. All crew members were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, which is the Nation’s premier aviation unit providing highly specialized aviation capabilities and support in the most challenging environments around the globe for elite special operations forces engaged in no-fail missions.
You can purchase a crew bracelet by adding it to cart above, or by visiting this hyperlink which will have photos of the bracelet design, and more photos of our fallen.
For every crew bracelet sold, $10 will be donated to the Night Stalker Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to supporting 160th SOAR(A) Families and Unit Members through Family Resiliency Programs (SOAR Family Collaborative), college Scholarships, support for our Families of the Fallen, and preserve the legacy of the 160th SOAR(A).
”I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me, for they loved to fight, fought to win, and would rather die than quit.”
Night Stalkers Don’t Quit. Night Stalkers Don’t Forget.
CW3 Stephen R. Dwyer received his commission in 2009 from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and served as a field artillery commissioned officer for six years before reverting to warrant officer and graduating from flight school in 2018. After several aviation assignments, Dwyer joined the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as an MH-60M pilot in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion. He completed the Regiment’s extensive assessment and training program, and became a basic mission-qualified pilot, mission planner, and instructor pilot in Charlie Company.
CW3 Dwyer deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, additionally, he deployed with the 101st Airborne Division to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Turkey. With the 160th SOAR, Steve deployed on a no-notice deployment and also conducted exercises worldwide in support of national security objectives.
Dwyer graduated from the Basic Officer Leader Course, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course; Ranger School; Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course; Warrant Officer Orientation; UH-72A Aviator Qualification Course; Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course; Aviation Tactical Operations Officer Course; Officer Combat Skills (Green Platoon); Combatives Level 1; MH- 60M Pilot Basic Mission Course; UH-60M Advanced Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School; and the MH-60 Flight Instructor Pilot Course.
Dwyer’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Combat device, four Army Commendation Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Basic Army Aviator Badge, Parachute Badge and Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and inducted into the honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation Community.
CW3 Stephen R. Dwyer is survived by his wife and three children.
CW2 Shane M. Barnes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, in 2011. During his time at Gonzaga, Shane served as the Battalion Commander of the Bulldog Battalion for Gonzaga ROTC. Following graduation, he attended Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he successfully completed training to become an UH-60L Black Hawk aviator. He was assigned to 2-2 Assault Helicopter Battalion, Korea, where he excelled as a Platoon Leader and Pilot-in-Command.
In 2015, following his tour in Korea and completion of the Aviation Captains Career Course, Shane favorably assessed for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). He completed Officer Combat Skills in 2016 and was assigned as an MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) pilot in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR(Abn), where he served as a Platoon Leader and Operations Officer. In 2020, he fully dedicated himself to the organization and his profession by reappointing to Warrant Officer. As an Instructor Pilot and Fully Mission Qualified DAP Pilot, CW2 Barnes formed the cornerstone of the organization. He was a teacher, mentor, and warrior whose impact on the organization will be felt for years to come.
While assigned to 160th SOAR(Abn), CW2 Barnes deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, deployed multiple times to Iraq in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, and supported numerous no-notice deployments world-wide in support of national security objectives.
CW2 Barnes' military education includes the UH-60 Aviator Qualification Course; Aviator Basic Officer Leader Course; Aviation Captains Career Course; Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI); Officer Combat Skills (Green Platoon); Combatives Level 1; MH-60M Pilot Basic Mission Course; UH-60 A/L Instructor Pilot Course; and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course.
CW2 Barnes' awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" Device, Distinguished Flying Cross with "C" Device, Air Medal with "V" Device, Air Medal with "C" Device and Numeral 2, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and inducted into the honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation Community.
CW2 Shane M. Barnes is survived by his wife and two children.
SSG Tanner W. Grone, enlisted in the Army in 2017 as a 15T UH-60 “Black Hawk” repairer and was assigned to the 160th SOAR (Airborne). After completing the regiment’s extensive assessment and training program in 2018, Grone reported to Fox Company, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (Airborne) for service as an MH-60M Repairer. Six months later, Staff Sgt Grone reported to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (Airborne) and served as a flight instructor and fully mission-qualified MH-60M crew chief.
While serving in the 160th SOAR (Airborne), Grone deployed multiple times to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and supported several no-notice deployments and exercises worldwide in support of national security objectives.
Grone graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, the Basic Leaders Course, and Advanced Leaders Course.
Grone’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal with Combat device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with combat device, Army Achievement medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and the Basic Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and inducted into the honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation Community.
SSG Tanner W. Grone is survived by his parents and sister.
SGT Andrew P. Southard enlisted in the Army in 2015, as a 15T UH-60 “Black Hawk” repairer. He was first assigned to the 1st Armored Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas upon completing advanced individual training.
Southard later completed a 13-month rotation to Task Force Sinai in support of ongoing peacekeeping operations. After finishing his tour, he reported to Fort Campbell’s 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. Southard volunteered for assignment to the 160th SOAR (Airborne) and after completing the Regiment’s extensive training and assessment program in 2023, he remained in 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (Airborne) for service as an MH-60M crew chief.
While assigned to the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, Southard deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Southard graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, and the Basic Leaders Course.
Southard’s awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and inducted into the honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation Community.
SGT Andrew P. Southard is survived by his wife, daughter, and stepson.
SGT Cade M. Wolfe enlisted in the Army in 2018 as a 15T UH-60 “Black Hawk” repairer and was assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii upon completing advanced individual training. Wolfe completed the Regiment’s extensive assessment and training program and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (Airborne) and served as an MH-60M crew chief.
Wolfe graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, and the Basic Leaders Course.
His awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and inducted into the honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation Community.
SGT Cade M. Wolfe is survived by his wife.