Arizona Marine Confirmed As One of Five Fatalities in Helicopter Accident Near San Diego

A Marine sergeant from Chandler was among the five victims who died in a military helicopter accident near San Diego this week.

The disappearance of the CH-53E Super Stallion occurred on Tuesday evening when it was on its way back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after completing training at Creech Air Force Base, located northwest of Las Vegas. The crash site was discovered on Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, a mountain community approximately one hour from San Diego.

According to the family, 23-year-old Alec Langen from Chandler, was a passenger on the helicopter during the crash. He had the role of Crew Chief during the flight.

Sergeant Langen served as a crew chief in the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 of the Marine Aircraft Group 16, which is part of the 3rd Marine Air Wing.

The military has confirmed that all five people on board were killed and has not yet publicly released the identities of the military personnel involved.

As of Thursday, a rescue operation was still in progress. Despite harsh weather conditions, emergency teams were making efforts to access the location.

As per Langen’s family, Alec had aspired to join the Marine Corps since childhood, it was his ultimate passion.

The investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.