Why are flags at half-staff in Tennessee today?

Flags across Tennessee were lowered to half-staff on Monday, but why?

Gov. Bill Lee ordered flags across Tennessee to be flown at half-staff after the death of five soldiers from Fort Campbell during a training mission overseas over Veterans Day weekend.

"Maria & I are devastated by the tragic loss of 5 Fort Campbell service members over the weekend. We ask Tennesseans to join us in prayer for their loved ones during this time," Lee wrote on Monday.

The five service members were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers. They were killed when their helicopter crashed during a refueling training off of the coast of Cyprus on Saturday, according to U.S. officials. Officials have yet to release the cause of the crash but have maintained that there are no indications of any hostile activity involved.

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Why are the flags at half-staff in Tennessee?

By order of Gov. Lee, flags over the State Capitol and all state office buildings will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, Nov. 17, to remember the five Fort Campbell soldiers killed during a military training mission over the Mediterranean Sea.

How long will the flag be at half-staff?

Flags will be flown until sunset on Nov. 17.

Who was killed in the helicopter crash in the Mediterranean?

The Pentagon released the names of the five U.S. Army service members on Monday. Those who died were:

• 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

• Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Apache Junction, Arizona

• Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minnesota

Why do flags fly at half-staff?

According to USA.gov, the U.S. flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning.

The flag can be ordered to fly at half-staff by the president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia.

Here are the events that usually trigger it:

• The death of a government official, military member, or first responder

• A national tragedy

• Memorial Day or another national day of remembrance

Where do flags fly at half-staff or half-mast?

Gov. Lee's order requires flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and all state buildings.

Is it half-staff or half-mast?

On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.

Elsewhere ashore, flags are flown at half-staff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why are flags half-staff in Tennessee? Honoring Fort Campbell soldiers