Blackhawk Joins Search for Missing Oregon Professor

Oregon Army National Guard assisting in Search mission for missing U of O professor.‏

Oregon Guard Blackhawk helicopter Photo by: Tim King

(BEND, Ore.) - An aircraft from the Oregon Army National Guard has joined the search in Central Oregon for U of O Professor Daming Xu. The military helicopter was sent to the scene after a request from the Office of Emergency Management and Lane and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

Guard Spokesperson Kay Fristad says that due to the foggy conditions in the valley last night, one UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from C 7158 Aviation, the former "1042 Medical Company, Air Ambulance," repositioned to the Redmond Airport in order to be able to assist with search operations early this morning.

They departed the Redmond Airport at 8:00 AM this morning and assisted with transporting ground crews to different search areas prior to beginning their aerial search.

The designated search areas include Ollalie Mountain south of the McKenzie Bridge, Cougar Reservoir and the Three Sisters Wilderness area.

Fristad says the Blackhawk crew will continue operations tonight as long as possible and later tonight a second UH-60 equipped with the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) will travel to Redmond and take over the operation and start Day two of the rescue operation. "This will provide a fresh crew for tomorrows effort," Fristad said.

The National Guard has a OH-58 Kiowa helicopter on standby in case the request comes in for additional support.