Black Hawks join search for missing helicopter in PNG
11 July 2012The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has responded to a request from Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia to assist Papua New Guinea emergency authorities in the search for a helicopter missing near Mt Hagen since Friday (6 July 12) afternoon.
The Combined Joint Task Force currently situated in Port Moresby for PNG election support has been tasked to assist and deployed two Black Hawk helicopters and additional personnel to the Mt Hagen area yesterday (10 July) searching enroute.
ADF support was requested by RCC Australia today after a formal request from PNG emergency authorities yesterday morning.
The Australian Army Black Hawks will provide a visual search of the area where the Hevilift Bell 206 Helicopter went missing on 6 July 12.
An aero-medical evacuation team, additional observers and a downed aircraft recovery team will also assist.
A substantial search operation coordinated by PNG authorities and Hevilift, the aircraft’s operator, has been underway since Saturday 7 July 12.
The Black Hawks will be used to assist in the search and to provide some relief for civilian search aircraft currently involved in the task.
The Black Hawk helicopter has a long range, can seat a number of personnel to enhance the visual search and has a winch capability.
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