Airman Missing In Gulf Of Mexico Id'ed As Dallas Native

The Air Force has identified the airman who has been missing in the Gulf of Mexico since Tuesday as Dallas native Cole Condiff.

In a press release, the Air Force said Condiff, 29, a staff sergeant who who a special tactics combat controller in the 24th Special Operations Wing "had an unplanned parachute departure" from a C-130 airplane.

Military officials also said that recovery efforts led by the Navy and the Air Force were ongoing.

An Air Force investigation is also underway.

Condiff was a graduate of Sachse High School and later attended Utah Valley University. He served a two year mission with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints in Spokane, Washington before enlisting in the Air Force in 2012.

"Cole was a man with deep-rooted beliefs who dedicated himself to God, our freedoms, peace, and his family. He was a devoted family man within our squadron, focused on teaching his girls to be adventurous like he was," U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Cooper, Condiff's squadron commander, said in a statement.

"This is a tragic loss to the squadron, the Special Tactics community and our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates at this time."

Officials said the airman was a static-line jumpmaster, military free-fall jumper, combat scuba diver, air traffic controller, and a joint terminal attack controller. He had completed deployments to Africa and Afghanistan and had received two medals for his service.

Condiff is survived by his wife, two daughter, his parents, a sister and two brothers.

A GoFundMe page has been setup to help Condiff's family.

Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.