GULF OF MEXICO, Nov. 11, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A GoFundMe page has been set up to benefit the family of the U.S. Air Force special tactics airman who was lost in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday.
The airman, Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff, 29, was a graduate of Utah Valley University and a former missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Condiff was a combat controller with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, said a Facebook post from Air Force Special Tactics. Condiff had what the Air Force described as an unplanned parachute departure from a C-130 over the Gulf of Mexico.
An article in the Air Force Times said Condiff graduated from Sachse High School in Sachse, Texas, and then attended Utah Valley University. He served a two-year mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Spokane, Washington.
Condiff is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, a sister and two brothers, said the Facebook post.
The GoFundMe page, which has been set up by a family liaison to benefit Condiff’s wife and daughters, said: “While leading out an airborne training mission, Cole was the jumpmaster prepping his team for a safe exit and was prematurely snatched from a C-130 over the Gulf of Mexico. He has been missing several miles offshore since Nov. 5. His status changed from missing to deceased on Nov. 8 after rescue efforts were unable to find him. Recovery efforts are ongoing.
Like any true Texan, Cole raised his hand and voluntarily deployed multiple times in support of our nation’s efforts to counter violent extremist organizations.
More importantly, Cole balanced his warrior life with a hilarious and contagious energy that came second only to his love of his SOF brothers.
He was defined by his loyalty to his sweet wife and daughters, 1 and 4 years old. Cole loved playing with his girls and teaching them to be little adventurers like him. He was devoted fully to the three of them and their plans to be ‘together forever’ as a family.
He lived by the motto of “All things we do in memory of our God, our religion, our freedom, our peace, our wives, and our children.”
Our hearts and prayers are with the young Condiff family as they carry on their husband and daddy’s legacy. They gratefully watch the men and women of our nation both continue in his search and continue to defend our way of life.
All donations are to assist Cole’s surviving wife and daughters during their coming transition, travel, stabilization, and future education.”
In an Air Force news release, Condiff’s family called him a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend who loved his family.
“Cole loved his country and was honored to serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy,” the Condiff family said in a statement. “Cole had a deep faith in God. Although we mourn, it is through our faith that we take comfort in knowing we will be with him again. He will be greatly missed by all. We ask for continued prayers as his wife and daughters move forward without their beloved husband and daddy.”
The family also expressed “our deepest and unending gratitude to those that have searched so diligently,” and thanked those who stood ready to help them.
Condiff was a static-line jumpmaster, military free-fall jumper, combat scuba diver, air traffic controller and a joint terminal attack controller who deployed to Africa and Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include an Air Force Achievement Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal with a combat device, the Air Force statement said.
