Alec Langen: Marine who died in helicopter crash had married love of his life weeks before fatal accident

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Alec Langen, 23, had a lifelong dream of following his father’s footsteps and becoming a Marine.

He achieved his goal, but tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in Pine Valley, California, along with four other Marines on Tuesday, February 6.

His parents, Steve and Caryn Langen, shared their grief and pride in an interview with ABC San Diego.

Alec Langen married the love of his life weeks before the crash

The Langens said that Alec, an Arizona native had just married the love of his life a few weeks before the fatal accident in January, according to a Facebook post.

His wife, Casey, was the first one to alert them by texting Caryn that something was wrong when Alec did not return from his training flight on Tuesday night, February 6.

Caryn Langen told her husband to call Alec’s unit and ask for information. Steve Langen, who had served as a Marine helicopter pilot himself, said he also searched online for any news about the missing CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter.

“Caryn was like, you need to call his unit; this is what you ask for," Steve Langen said. "I would go online and try to find out any information," they told the outlet. 

Alec Langen was serving as crew chief on the helicopter

The Langens learned that Alec was one of the five Marines on board the helicopter which was conducting a training flight from Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

They were reported missing when they did not arrive on time. Alec was serving as the crew chief on the flight, a role that his father was familiar with.

“I did the same thing. Same helicopter, same everything from '86 to '95. I was there the whole time and several close calls,” Steve Langen said.

He added that Alec loved his job and his fellow Marines. “He died with people he wanted to be with, doing what he loved and wanted to do,” Steve Langen said.

Recovery efforts amid challenging weather 

The search for the helicopter and the Marines was hampered by frigid temperatures, fog, snow, and rain.

The Marines Corps announced on Wednesday, February 7, that they had located the wreckage and the remains of all five victims in the area.

Marine Corps officials notified the families in person about the tragedy, as per Daily Mail. 

"Marines have been stationed round-the-clock at the site to stay with the remains," Col James C Ford, operations officer with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego said, as per the publication.

Ford said they were facing "hazardous terrain and weather" at the site and the ground recovery efforts will take place over the coming weeks as an investigation into the crash is conducted.

Alec Langen's family expresses gratitude 

The Langens expressed their gratitude to the San Diego responders who went to the site and found the crew.

They also thanked the Marines who stayed with the remains round-the-clock until they could be brought back to their families.

“We are so thankful to the San Diego responders that went up there and searched for them and found that crew," Caryn Langen said, adding "Without them, they wouldn’t be coming home.”

The names of the other four Marines who died in the crash have not been released yet, as per military policy. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Alec married his wife Casey in early January and were planning to move to North Carolina where he was going to be stationed, Daily Mail reported.