Ex-Elmendorf airman killed by gunman in Germany

The airman, Nick Alden, 25, was identified Thursday by his mother, Cathy Garner, who spoke to the Associated Press from her home in South Carolina.

The Air Force has not yet confirmed the identity of Alden or the other dead airman.

Alden was at Elmendorf Air Force Base between 2007 and late last year, where he was assigned to the 673rd Security Forces Squadron.

The two men were killed and other airmen were injured when the gunman, an ethnic Albanian who grew up in Germany, opened fire on an Air Force bus carrying 15 service members to Ramstein Air Force Base. The gunman, Arid Uka, 21, was taken into custody.

The Associated Press said the airmen were deploying to Afghanistan.

Alden was born in Germany and returned to the United States with his parents, who were in the military, about 10 years ago.

Alden's wife, Trish, their 1-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter had been living in England, Garner told the Associated Press. Alden earlier served a six-month tour in Iraq and found out about a month ago he would be deployed to Afghanistan, she said.

"He said 'Mom, I'm going to be in a fairly safe place like I was in Iraq. I'm going to have all sorts of protective gear on when I go out so I'm going to be just as safe as I was in Iraq,' " she said. "He never even got there."

Garner said her son's killing was a "senseless act of terrorism."

She said her son would be remembered as a loving father and devoted husband. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

Reach Elizabeth Bluemink at ebluemink@adn.com or 257-4317. The Associated Press contributed to this article.