NSWC PCD begins continuous 24-hour operations to recover Air Force Staff Sgt.

By NSWC PCD Public Affairs | Nov. 15, 2019

The R/V Patriot launched November 15 in support of continuous 24-hour operations to recover U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff who made an “unplanned plane departure” from a C-130 over the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Ron Newsome)

Today the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) began continuous 24-hour operations to recover U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff who made an “unplanned plane departure” from a C-130 over the Gulf of Mexico November 5.

“The death of Staff Sgt. Condiff is devastating and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his unit,” said Capt. Aaron Peters, NSWC PCD commanding officer. “We are hopeful that our efforts bring him home and offer some measure of relief to his family.”

An NSWC PCD crew launched the R/V Patriot equipped with Klein side-scan sonars, six unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and three remotely operated vehicles (ROV). The side-scan sonar technology is monitored around the clock by multiple operators and will allow for more search time on station.

The UUVs will search the 29 square kilometers area and any data retrieved will be examined by the ROV.

NSWC PCD conducts research, development, test, and evaluation of mine warfare systems, mines, naval special warfare systems, diving and life support systems, and other missions that occur in the littoral or coastal regions. NSWC PCD has been called to support similar recovery operations in the past.

Special Tactics Airman identified, recovery efforts ongoing 

9 Nov. 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published November 09, 2019

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff, Special Tactics combat controller.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — 

The Special Tactics Airman who had an unplanned parachute departure from a C-130 aircraft, November 5, 2019, over the Gulf of Mexico, south of Hurlburt Field, has been identified. 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff, 29, was a Special Tactics combat controller with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command.

“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,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Cooper, commander of the 23rd STS. “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.”

The Dallas, Texas native was a graduate of Sachse High School. He attended Utah Valley University and later served a two-year mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Spokane, Washington. Condiff then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2012 and immediately entered the two-year combat control training program. Upon completion of the pipeline, he was assigned to the 23rd STS at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Condiff was a static-line jumpmaster, military free-fall jumper, combat scuba diver, air traffic controller, and a joint terminal attack controller. As a Special Tactics combat controller, Condiff was specially trained and equipped for immediate deployment into combat operations to conduct reconnaissance, global access, precision strike and personnel recovery operations.

Condiff completed deployments to Africa and Afghanistan in support of national security objectives.  His awards and decorations include an Air Force Achievement Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal with a combat device.                                                                           

Recovery efforts by a combined U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy team are ongoing. The Air Force is actively investigating the incident. To preserve the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released until further notice.

Condiff is survived by his wife and their two daughters as well as by his parents, sister and two brothers.  The 24th SOW would like to emphasize the family’s request for privacy.

8 Nov Recovery efforts begin for Special Tactics Airman Af.mil

24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

As of 6 p.m. Friday, the U.S. Air Force has taken the lead role as the search transitions to a recovery effort for the (29-year-old Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff), Special Tactics Airman who had an unplanned parachute departure from a C-130 aircraft November 5, 2019, over the Gulf of Mexico, south of Hurlburt Field.

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended their search efforts at this time.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to all of the federal, state and local units that have aided in the search for our Airman, especially the U.S. Coast Guard,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Matt Allen, commander of the 24th Special Operations Wing. “We will continue our recovery effort as long as circumstances and resources allow to bring our Airman home.”

Recovery teams are currently refining and adjusting the search area as efforts continue.

To respect the privacy of the family and teammates of the individual, we will be releasing the name of the Airman following next of kin notification.

The Air Force is actively investigating the incident. To preserve the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released until further notice.

6 Nov

A Special Tactics Airman departed a C-130 aircraft making an unintentional water landing at approximately 11 a.m., November 5, 2019, over the Gulf of Mexico, south of Hurlburt Field, during a planned static-line jump as part of a training event.  

Emergency response was immediately initiated and multiple units were dispatched to search for the Airman. Rescue teams are currently searching a 700 square mile area off the coast between Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola. The search area continues to expand and adjust as efforts continue.

The incident is currently under investigation.

This is a combined effort across federal, Department of Defense, state and local agencies. Units currently participating in the efforts include:

– 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field Air Force Base

– 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field Air Force Base

– Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew

– Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew

– Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew

– Two Coast Guard Station Destin 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crews

– 96th Test Wing, Eglin Air Force Base

– U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group, Duke Field

– U.S. Army 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Eglin Air Force Base

– Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office

– Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Search ongoing for Special Tactics Airman after training jump

24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published November 06, 2019
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — 

As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, a search remains underway for an Airman who exited a C-130 aircraft November 5, 2019 over the Gulf of Mexico approximately 4 miles south of Hurlburt Field. The incident is ongoing and under investigation.

Search and rescue crews were immediately called to aid in locating the Airman from the 24th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Units participating in the efforts include:
– 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field Air Force Base
– 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field Air Force Base
– Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew
– Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew
– Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew
– Two Coast Guard Station Destin 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crews
– 96th Test Wing, Eglin Air Force Base
– U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group, Duke Field
– Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
– Florida Fish and Wildlife