Arizona Marine on helicopter that crashed in Southern California

PHOENIX - A Marine from Arizona was onboard a military helicopter that crashed in the mountains outside of San Diego.

On the afternoon of Feb. 8, we spoke with the wife of Sgt. Alec Langen, who confirmed that her husband was one of the five victims in the crash.

Langen and four other marines, Capt. Jack Casey, 26, Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, were on the CH-53E helicopter at the time of the crash.

The helicopter went missing late Tuesday night while returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after training at Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas, according to the Associated Press.

The decorated Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and were based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

"We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family's worst fear," said Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the squadron. "The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time. We will get through this together."

The helicopter was found Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley, about an hour drive from San Diego.

Investigators are looking at whether it was appropriate to send troops into a region being hit by an intense storm.

"My heart stopped," wife said

CA chopper crash: AZ Marine among the victims

Langen's wife, Cassandra, said they are newlyweds. Cassandra also said she had no idea her marriage was going to be cut short.

"He was supposed to be home by 1 o'clock, and he wasn’t," Cassandra recalled. "My messages weren’t sending, and my last message from him was at 10."

When Cassandra got a knock at her front doorstep, her worst fear became reality.

"I officially found out when they had come to the door to report that he was missing," said Cassandra.

Sgt. Langen was the crew chief on the flight with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361. To Cassandra, however, Sgt. Langen was much more than that.

Sgt. Alec Langen (USMC)

"He was everything I could have dreamed about," said Cassandra. "He was so funny. He would make me laugh, even when I was in no mood to want to laugh. He was so generous, he would care for so many people."

The couple met nearly a year ago, and it didn't take long for either of them to realize they wanted to be in each other's lives, forever. They tied the knot in Sedona.

"It was 100% the best year of my life," said Cassandra.

A year full of love that Cassandra said she will cherish for the rest of her life.

"Just hold on to what you love," said Cassandra. "You never know for how long you’re going to have it."