Alaska's joint forces continue coordinations in search of F-22 Raptor pilot

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders
  • JBER/PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Operations efforts continue Thursday, to find the missing F-22 Raptor pilot, Air Force Capt. Jeffrey Haney, assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron.

The Alaska Air National Guard Rescue Coordination Center, the 3rd Wing and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson search and rescue teams continue to search the area, approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage, for the Air Force F-22 pilot.

"What we're looking for now is the pilot," said Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Jackson, Emergency Operations Center director. "We want to know ... is the ejector seat in the crash or is he is out in the area somewhere. Once we determine that, then we'll begin securing the aircraft crash site and ensuring it's safe."

There are many challenges that come with an operation on a scale and in a location like this, Colonel Jackson said.

"Obviously Alaska's size, terrain and weather conditions make an operation like this difficult, logistically," said Air Force Col. Jack McMullen, 3rd Wing commander. "The training area where the F-22 crashed is larger than the state of Vermont. It's remote, with no maintained roads in the winter and the terrain is very rugged. All these factors complicate the process even in good weather. When you factor in sub-zero temperatures and the potential for heavy snowfall, you see this is truly a massive undertaking."

Colonel Jackson said, because of hazardous material with the aircraft such as fuel, flares, and other dangerous items, there is a lot of work that goes into ensuring the safety of the site.

Operations are being coordinated through the EOC at JBER and the on-scene commander.

"It's hard to put what we're doing into words," Colonel Jackson said. "What we're doing is like building al small city of support to supply the site. We're setting up an airport and hotel in the middle of nowhere essentially."

Colonel Jackson said, without communications nothing can be accomplished.

"Coordination between staff agencies, military services, state agencies and our higher headquarters is crucial," Colonel McMullen said. "We have to identify and prioritize the correct personnel, equipment and supplies for each step of the mission, and then get them where they need to be - when they need to be there. We can't do this alone; it requires coordination with the entire joint base community and the Alaska state authorities."

Inside the EOC at JBER, representatives from each specific agency continuously send and receive information from their respective agency to continue the mission.

"Our biggest concern is fuel right now," said Tech. Sgt. Mack Estes, EOC transportation representative and 773rd Logistics Readiness Squadron member. "We're trying to get fuel to the main site to heat units and make sure that around 135 people stay alive."

Sergeant Estes said a convoy left today to deliver approximately the same amount of supplies four C-17 Globemaster loads would be able to carry to the supply site.

"Communication and coordination is critical, vital, and you have to be proactive with your support," Sergeant Estes said. "I've had to contact three people to get status updates in the past 30 minutes."

"The 3rd Wing and the 673d Air Base Wing have been tied at the hip from the beginning. Col. (Rob) Evans (JBER commander) and my airmen are totally integrated in this effort," said Colonel McMullen. "The Alaska Air Guard's 176th Wing's 210th, 211th, 212th Rescue Squadrons along with ANG Rescue Coordination Center Airmen were instrumental in finding the crash site and getting our first Airmen there on the ground. U.S. Army Alaska is providing equipment and rotary wing lift to help establish our footprint at the site. Local police are helping and Alaska Department of Transportation personnel and equipment are plowing roads to help with access."

"I've seen magnificent teamwork; incredibly impressive," said Air Force Col. Rob Evans, JBER commander and the 673d Air Base Wing commander. "This is not just the Army supporting the Air Force; it is a totally joint operation.

"The multiple agencies and organizations involved have stepped up and are coming in to offer support as fast as we identify a need," he said. "The Alaska State Troopers have been keeping us updated with road and weather conditions and such. The Department of Transportation cleared nearly 75 miles of roadway for us. The Alaska National Guard has been involved from the beginning with their search and rescue assets, and they continue to provide invaluable support.

"U.S. Army Alaska is providing invaluable support in the form of equipment, personnel, transportation assets and expertise in dealing with continuing operations in an arctic environment," Colonel Evans said. "Personnel from across JBER have been working tirelessly as well, making sure we have what we need, where we need it and when it's needed.

"It is truly inspirational to see so many moving parts working together for a common goal," the colonel said. "The logistics are astounding, but nobody has balked at any request for support. The integrated effort is a textbook example of a joint operation."

More information will be released as it becomes available.