The parents of the Marine believed to have piloted the doomed UH-1Y Huey that vanished in Nepal on May 12 say there is still reason to hope their son is alive, but admit it is fading.
The death of 31-year-old Capt. Chris Norgren remains unconfirmed, "but it doesn't look good," said his father, Ronald Norgren, during a press conference Friday evening.
"I'm so proud of everything he's done and accomplished," said his mother, Terri Norgren. "I still believe in my heart that there might be hope out there."
Chris Norgren, 31, was one of six Marines and two Nepalese soldiers aboard the utility helicopter when it vanished while delivering aid in a remote, mountainous region of the earthquake-battered country. The crew was last heard from near Charikot, when another helicopter picked up radio chatter about an apparent fuel issue.
The Huey was one of several detached from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, based out of Camp Pendleton, California, and sent to Nepal to participate in Joint Task Force 505's humanitarian mission there. Overnight Thursday, officials announced they had located a crash site in a rugged, forested area about eight miles north of Charikot.
Though officials have not confirmed any deaths, they were not optimistic about finding survivors.
"Because of the nature of the wreckage, it is unlikely there are any survivors at this time," said Lt. Gen. John Wissler, who heads the task force, during a press briefing in Kathmandu. "Our prayers are with the Marines and the Nepalese soldiers and their families. We all mourn this tragic loss of life."
The Corps is keeping the identities of the crew members under wraps pending the identification of remains and notification of next-of-kin, but several families have gone public with the news, including the Norgrens.
Between tears, the couple described a Marine dedicated to being the best at everything he did. A football player in high school, Chris Norgren went on to join his former team's coaching staff. He later opted for military service and eventually became a helicopter pilot.
Their last communication with him occurred Mother's Day and it was text-based, the couple said. Chris Norgren wished his mother a happy day and told Ronald Norgren he hoped he was doing better following a medical condition that involved a lengthy hospital stay.
Though the Norgrens cling to hope, at times they appeared resigned to his as yet unknown fate.
"We were blessed to have him for 31 years," Ronald Norgren said. "He was an amazing individual."
The couple also thanked the outpouring of support within the community, the Marine Corps and from across the country. President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Ash Carter joined Wissler in expressing their regrets today for the crew, the two Nepalese soldiers aboard and their families.
"Sometimes those in uniform get attention only when there is a battle, but they do so much more than that [like] looking out for folks who are vulnerable or having a tough time … and it can involve great risk, great sacrifice," Obama said.
Wissler pledged Friday to recover all of the missing Marines and bring them home. He also said he was committed to uncovering the cause of the crash. Investigators are expected to return to the crash site tomorrow.
The crew of the Huey made up just a small part of the 300 U.S. service members on the ground in Nepal following the two most recent earthquakes, which killed more than 8,000 people. When he arrived, Chris Norgren's first task was helping to set up shelters, the Norgrens said.
"My son is my hero, and he is with me now and always will be," Terri Norgren said.
