BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska family members of one of the four airmen killed during a plane crash while fighting wildfires in South Dakota say he always wanted to serve his country.

Local media says that family members say Major Ryan David  was a Bellevue native who leaves behind a 10-year-old son. They say he was deployed six times by the Air Force, including to the war in Iraq.

David was one of four members of the North Carolina National Guard that died when their C-130 crashed Sunday while fighting a wildfire in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The cause is under investigation.

David’s cousin, Felicia Nofuente, says he was “always ready and willing to serve.” His aunt says he was a big guy with a teddy bear for a heart.