Army soldier from Apache Junction dies in helicopter crash

An Arizona aviation sergeant and four other U.S. Army soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in the Mediterranian Sea on Friday, according to the Department of Defense.

The crash happened during a routine flight training and there were no indications the crash was caused by an enemy or foul intentions, the Department said in a Monday morning statement.

The Arizona sergeant who died was identified by authorities as Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Apache Junction.

The other four special operations soldiers who died were identified as 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; and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minnesota.

The Department said the soldiers were undergoing aerial refueling training when the aircraft experienced an emergency midflight, resulting in the crash.

The military first announced the crash on Saturday and said that the cause is under investigation, but there are no indications of any hostile activity involved. It said on Sunday that “search and rescue efforts began immediately, including nearby U.S. military aircraft and ships.”

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the fallen," the Department said in the announcement.

The U.S. Army's Combat Readiness Center was investigating the incident.

No further details were available as of Monday morning.

Tennessean reporter Kirsten Fiscus contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sgt. Andrew P. Southard from Apache Junction dies in helicopter crash