5th Day Search, Army's Missing MI-17 Helicopter Yet to be Found
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2 July 2019 12:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - XVII/Cendrawasih Military Command (Kodam) spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Muhammad Aidi announced that his team has yet discovered the whereabouts of the Army’s missing MI-17 helicopter that lost contact at Jayapura, Papua.
“Our target is to find it,” said Aidi to Tempo on Tuesday, July 2.
Aidi explained that his men will maximize the available time efficiently as the search for the missing helicopter has entered its fifth day.
“Ever since 06:00 this morning, we have deployed search teams in the air and ground,” he said.
The search today will likely be dictated by the weather condition despite friendly weather so far today. He also asserts that air search is the most effective option currently and has deployed two of the Army’s Bell 412 helicopter, one of Air Force’s CN 235, and one supporting civilian Bell 206 helicopter.
Search on the ground is still taking place via information from locals and possible eyewitnesses. The ground crew consists of 100 men and will search along Oksibil District and Jayapura.
The Army’s MI-17 helicopter lost contact mid-flight from Oksibil Airport while it was on its way to Sentani Airport on Friday, June 28, 2019. The helicopter was captained by Captain Aris and was carrying 11 crew members.
HALIDA BUNGA FISANDRA
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