Chief Warrant Officer Two Shane M. Barnes was born on 26 January 1989. A native of Sacramento, California, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, in 2011. Following graduation, he attended Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he successfully completed training to become a UH-60L Black Hawk aviator. He was then 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, CW2 Barnes 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, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 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 the Regiment, 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; the Aviation Captains Career Course; Officer Combat Skills (Green Platoon); Combatives Level 1; MH-60M Pilot Basic Mission Course; UH-60 A/L Instructor Pilot Course; and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course.

His awards and decoration include the Distinguished Flying Cross (w/V device), Distinguished Flying Cross (w/C device), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/V device), Air Medal (w/C device and numeral 2), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (w/1 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (w/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 was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Michael for significant contributions to the Army Aviation community.

CW2 Barnes died when MH-60M Black Hawk, (DAP) tail #490, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea during a training mission on 10 November 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Samantha; daughters, Amelia and Katherine; his parents, Michael and Kelly; and his brother, Joshua.