http://www.thelocal.se/39694/20120315/
The Rescue Coordination Centre of North Norway got the message from Swedish air traffic service around. at. 15.50 that a Norwegian Hercules aircraft had not landed in Kiruna in Sweden, as expected.
- A Norwegian Hercules aircraft with five people were missing, confirming Communications Manager John Espen Lien at the Defense operative headquarters to Aftenposten.no.
- Contact was lost about eight mil west of Kiruna in northern Sweden, continues Lien.
According to TV2 News channel is the five people Norwegians.
Last contact west of Kiruna
The aircraft involved in military exercise Cold Response and took off from Glasgow at. 13.41. Last contact was on the radar a bit west of Kiruna at. 14.55.
- We got a message at 15.50 from the Swedish aviation authorities that the plane did not land as expected, says the press staff member Irene R. Skaue by the Rescue Coordination Centre in Bodø.
- A Sea King rescue helicopter from Bodø and Orion are involved. We have also offered additional resources, says Skaue.
- We have sent a Sea King from Bodo and Orion from Andøya in addition to the Swedish resources in the area, said the guard leader Sun Hongset by the Rescue Coordination Centre to Aftenposten.no.
- It is bad weather in the area, said Hongset.
Major military exercise
Exercise Cold Response 2012 is a Norwegian-led, international winter event that is in large parts of northern Norway in March. A total of 16,000 soldiers participating from 15 countries.
John Espen Lien said that the Swedish Rescue Services in conjunction with the Rescue Coordination Centre of North Norway, plus Norwegian military units assist in the search. Both airplanes and helicopters are looking for the missing plane.
- The plane was going to Kiruna to get materials and personnel, said Lien.
He will not say anything about it, Norwegians and the sex people are missing is.
The aircraft is of a Hercules C130-J and is brand new.
Lien also said that efforts are underway relative terms, but that he did not know the details.
Swedish Rescue Services lead the action. From the Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre offers assistance in the form of airplanes, helicopters and ground crews.
UPDATE!
2012-03-15 20:30There have been reports in Norwegian media about the 5 crew members would be found and killed. This is incorrect. We have been in contact with Norway and also received denials from there.
2012-03-15 21:20Staff briefing on JRCC
2 Norwegian Seaking and 2 Danish Merlin helicopters are now in Kiruna and thoughts.
the air is now:
U.S.-Hercules
Norsk-Orion
U.S.-AWACS
On the ground looking for mountain rescue teams and several groups of military personnel.
All witness statements verified and helicopters to seek out the likely places.
Earlier data on distress beacons have not produced any.
There have been reports of three different positions, reconnaissance aircraft with heat signatures, and a position where a ground patrol is said to have found something. We intend to examine these positions in detail.
2012-03-15 23:16Staff Review
Norwegian Seaking helicopters landing Kiruna and the two Danish Merlin helicopters are going to Evenes Norway, the weather is too bad for them to fly in.
AWACS lands soon for refueling and a change in personnel.
The plan for the night is to search with ground patrols in the most likely area around Kebnekaise.
Norwegian Orion reconnaissance aircraft continue to fly at night and acts as reconnaissance platform and the link with ground patrols.
Ground patrols from rescue, Fjällrädning and military personnel are also in other parts of the mountain area around Kebnekaise.
The previously reported indications that the "heat signatures" and observation of the "parts" on the ground, has not led to any further conclusions. These indications do not necessarily have to do with the event, but will of course be verified as soon as possible.
2012-03-16 04:17At 06:00 the helicopters trying to be in the area around Kebnekaise. The weather forecast does not look so good so if you can get there återsår to see.
2012-03-16 05:42The Norwegian Orion reconnaissance aircraft reports that there is a little gap in the clouds. We will try again with helicopters:
-Svenks rescue helicopter 906
-Swedish military Super Puma
Norsk-Seaking rädningshelikopter
-The Swedish police helicopter 945
The plan is to try to come down by helicopter to visuellet search in the search area at Kebnekaise and examine further some of the hot spots observed by the Norwegian reconnaissance nothing.
Page last updated: 2012-03-16