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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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One of the five Marines killed when a helicopter crashed during a storm in the mountains outside San Diego, California, has been identified.
Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, was among those who died when the CH-53E Super Stallion went down during stormy weather on Tuesday, according to his parents. Langen, of Chandler, Arizona, served as the crew chief on the flight, they said. He had married the love of his life last month.
His father, Steve Langen, said he died "with people he wanted to be with, doing what he loved and wanted to do."
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"I would give anything to be able to trade places and just have him come home," he told KGTV.
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Langen had dreamed of being a Marine since he was a child, his father told ABC15.
"Ever since he was three, he was like, 'I want to do what daddy did,'" he said. "I did the same thing. I was in the same helicopter, same everything from '86 to '95."
His mother, Caryn Langen, said being a Marine "was everything" to her son.
"We are so thankful to the San Diego responders that went up there and searched for them and found that crew," she added to KGTV. "Without them, they wouldn't be coming home."
All five of the Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The names of the other four Marines have not been released.
The helicopter went missing during a routine training flight late on Tuesday night, as a powerful storm battered the region. The Marines were on their way back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego from Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas.
Authorities searching on the ground and by air located the aircraft just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, near the mountain community of Pine Valley.
Efforts are underway to recover all of the bodies of the Marines, but authorities said snowy conditions were making it challenging.
"Our fallen warriors' fellow Marines have remained by their side—as Marines do—taking shifts throughout the night at the mishap site, keeping watch over them, despite the hazardous weather conditions," Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement on Thursday.
"Our fallen Marines were—and continue to be—guarded by their brothers and sisters."
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
"This tragic mishap will be thoroughly investigated to identify the causes, learn from them, and take action to reduce further mishaps," Borgschulte said.
In a statement, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: "We mourn the tragic loss of five U.S. Marines earlier this week during a training flight en route from Nevada to California. My prayers are with these brave Marines and their families, loved ones, and teammates.
"As the Marine Corps investigates this deadly crash, it is yet another reminder that across our nation and the world our selfless service members put their lives on the line every day to keep our country safe. The entire Department of Defense honors these brave Marines' service and grieves their passing."
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