Oregon Army National Guard Joins Search for Missing Aircraft

Oregon Guard Spokesman Mike Braibish says the mission for the OH-58 is to pinpoint the location of the missing aircraft.

The OH-58 Kiowa Photo courtesy: U.S. Army

(SALEM) - The Oregon Army National Guard launched an OH-58 Kiowa at 8:30 PM Monday, March 5th to assist the Klamath County Sheriff's office in the search for a missing aircraft.

The OH-58 Kiowa is a state of the art helicopter equipped with FLIR – forward looking infrared radar – a technology that may help find the airplane despite the darkness of night. The FLIR works by displaying contrasts in temperature.

The type of the missing aircraft is unknown, but search officials believe there are two people on the airplane that went down near Crescent Lake Airport, southwest of Sun River.

Oregon Guard Spokesman Mike Braibish says the mission for the OH-58 is to pinpoint the location of the missing aircraft.

The Oregon State Police are also assisting in the search from the air and ground. Braibish says the Guard frequently assists other agencies during emergencies.

"When needed, local authorities and county officials can call on state agencies like the Oregon National Guard and the OSP for assistance through the state Office of Emergency Management."

The ORARNG assists during dozens of search and rescue operations each year.