UPDATE: Mankato soldier remembered as sincere, "phenomenal"

Nov. 13—MANKATO — Mankato East High School graduate Cade Wolfe, who along with four other U.S. service members was killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise, is being described as an outgoing "phenomenal" guy.

Wolfe was married to Danielle Wolfe, who was previously in the military and met Cade in Hawaii. The couple recently bought a house in Tennessee.

Wolfe's mother is Julia Molden and his stepfather is Dave Molden and they live in Evergreen, Colorado. His father is Scott Wolfe and stepmother is Heather Wolfe, of Mankato.

Julia Molden said her son was a sweet and sincere boy who loved to snowboard at Mount Kato.

She was an Army nurse at Fort Bragg for three years and Wolfe's father, Scott, was in the military. Cade's brother Cooper is also in the military serving at Fort Campbell in Special Forces.

"Cade always wanted to be in the Army. When he was little, he'd dress up in Army outfits," his mom said.

Cade was previously stationed in Hawaii until transferring to Fort Campbell about a year and a half ago.

She said that amid their pain the family is waiting for more answers.

"We just want to know what happened. Did his helicopter blow up? What happened to the plane that was refueling them (in flight)?"

Search and recovery efforts were underway for the victims of the crash that happened during a training flight Friday in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. They were all U.S. Army Special Operations aviation soldiers.

Gov. Tim Walz called for all U.S. and Minnesota flags at state buildings to be flown at half staff until sunset Monday, Nov. 20 in memory of Wolfe. Individuals and businesses are also encouraged to lower their flags to half staff.

Shelley Solomon said Wolfe and her son were good friends in middle school and high school and said Wolfe was "like our bonus son." Wolfe graduated in 2018.

Solomon, who now lives in Montana, said Wolfe was a "phenomenal human being and will be missed by many." She described him as a goofy kid with an infectious laugh, big smile "and a willingness to do anything for anyone."

Mary Nelson, a physical education teacher at Mankato East, had Wolfe in her classes several times through his high school career.

"Cade was a hard worker. He was very much into fitness and taking care of his body and being in the best shape he could be."

She said that while he played football for a while, he was more interested in weight lifting and fitness than organized sports.

"He was very outgoing and personable. He was a good kid to just sit down and talk with," Nelson said.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota released a statement saying Wolfe represented the very best of us. "He answered the call of duty and put his life on the line to keep the American people safe. We will never forget his service and his sacrifice. My deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Mankato native Sgt. Cade Wolfe. Mankato is my husband's hometown and I know this is particularly heartbreaking for those who grew up with and loved Sgt. Wolfe."

In a statement, Walz said: "With deep gratitude, Minnesota recognizes Sgt. Cade Michael Wolfe for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his state and country. His family, loved ones and community are in our prayers."

The military announced the crash Saturday and later said via The Associated Press that search and recovery efforts had begun.

The other service members 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. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Apache Junction, Arizona.

Wolfe joined the Army in 2018, following his father, Scott, and brother Cooper, the Star Tribune reported. Scott Wolfe served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division and survived the infamous Green Ramp disaster in March 1994 when two military planes collided over Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. One of the planes crashed into the ground, killing 24 soldiers.

Wolfe enlisted as a Blackhawk helicopter repairer and was assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii. He was later assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which provides helicopter support for special operations forces. The 160th is headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

He served as a helicopter crew chief and earned several awards and decorations, including two commendation medals, the newspaper reported.

The U.S. Department of Defense released that the crash happened during routine flight training and there is no indication of hostile actions.

The official release said the helicopter, an MH-60 Blackhawk, experienced an in-flight emergency during routine "aerial refueling" training, which caused it to go down.

Wolfe's name was seen across Facebook posts as friends and community members grieved.

"Our hearts are shattered this morning to learn the news of longtime member Cade Wolfe's passing," Fitness for 10 gym in Mankato posted. "Cade brought so much joy and energy to all of us."

"We mourn the loss of these five incredible soldiers, each of them a national treasure," Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga said via the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Facebook page. "They hail from rare patriotic families with deep military service ties that span multiple generations and formations."