"The search is conducted through land and air operations," Spokesperson of Indonesian Military Mayor General Wuryanto said here on Friday.
Personnel of Raider 614/Raja Pandita Infantry Batalyon of Kodam VI/Mulawarman have been deployed to assist the search operation on land.
Several military aircraft such as an NAS 332 Super Puma helicopter, a CN 235 airplane and Cassa Al AL/U 622 have also been deployed to help the search operation from air along with AT 802 airplane of Pelita Air Service and C 208 of the Susi Air.
The Bell-412 helicopter was reported to have lost contact at 11:29 am local time (GMT+8) at 8 miles north from Malinau at 2,500 feet.
Indonesian Military Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo said that the twin engine Bell-412 helicopter has been used in 2013 by the Indonesian military to support the logistic supply of troops at the border of Indonesia and Malaysia.
"I havent got any information on the whereabouts of the helicopter. We will inform the result that the SAR team finds. The team is working now," Nurmantyo said.
The helicopter was considered airworthy and manned by First Lieutenant Captain Abdi, First Lieutenant Captian Yohanes, First Lieutenant Captain Ginasa, First Sergeant Bayu and Praka Suyanto.
The Bell 412 is a twin-engine utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
