Posted 11/17/2010 Updated 11/18/2010
11/17/2010 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) ?
Alaska Air National Guard search and rescue crews have found the apparent wreckage of an F-22 Raptor Nov. 17 that was assigned to the 3rd Wing here.
The jet lost contact with air traffic control at 7:40 p.m. local time while on a routine training mission Nov. 16.
A search was coordinated by officials with the Alaska ANG Rescue Coordination Center. Airmen in HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and an HC-130 King combed an area northeast of Cantwell, Alaska, the last known location of the aircraft.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this missing Airman, and we thank all Alaskans for their continued support and prayers during this trying time," said Col. Jack McMullen, 3rd Wing commander. "Finding the missing pilot is our top priority."
To continue searching for the missing pilot, a rescue team is being dispatched to the area, approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage, by the Alaska ANG Rescue Coordination Center, the 3rd Wing and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Colonel McMullen held a press conference at 1 p.m. to make a statement and answer questions from the media.
"Last night a two-ship (flight) of F-22s, Rocky One and Rocky Three, were finished with training ... about 100 miles north of here," Colonel McMullen said.
Everything was normal until about 7:40 p.m., he said, when Rocky Three fell off the radar scope and the pilot lost communications.
"The other pilot (Rocky One) went to a tanker, got gas and then continued to look for the mishap pilot," Colonel McMullen said. "He could not find him. At that time, the Alaska ANG scrambled a C-130 and rescue helicopters. They searched the entire night."
About 10:15 a.m., an Alaska ANG helicopter found a site that fits the data and the description of where rescuers thought the mishap probably occurred, Colonel McMullen said.
"They found the crash site," he said. "They were unable to land at the crash site and take a closer look. We scrambled another helicopter that should be in the area in the next few moments."
Colonel McMullen thanked the Alaskan community and Alaska ANG for their support at such a difficult time.
The name of the pilot is being withheld until the pilot's status is determined.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
(Courtesy of 3rd Wing Public Affairs)
i just tineye'd it for the flickr
