Today the two Bell helicopters have three times conducted sweeping aerial operations around the MI 17 helicopter's route,Sentani, Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Papua Provincial Police has prepared two teams of 20 Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel to search for the Indonesian Army's MI-17 helicopter that is missing since Friday, June 28, at Oksibil, Pegunungan Bintang District, Papua. "Right now they have not been deployed. They are still on standby in Jayapura. We will deploy them anytime if needed," Deputy of Public Relations and Media Department (Wakapendam) XVII Cendrawasih, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Dax Sianturi stated in Sentani District, Monday.
On the fourth day of the search, the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team of the National Defense Forces (TNI) tried to locate the helicopter around Mount Mol and Aprok
The search was also conducted using a Bell Helicopter 206 and Bell Helicopter 412 with registration number HA-5177, he said.
"Today, the two Bell helicopters have on three occasions conducted sweeping aerial operations around the MI 17 helicopter's route," he said.
The MI-17 helicopter, owned by the Army, reportedly went missing Friday, June 28, at around 11:49 WIT.
The MI-17 helicopter, bearing registration number HA-5138, was carrying 12 passengers and crew members on board, who had earlier flown to Okbibab to deliver logistics to soldiers serving in the area.
The crew members aboard the helicopter were pilots CPN Captain Aris and CPN Lieutenant Bambang, co-pilot First Lieutenant CPN Ahwar, Head Sergeant Suriyatna, Sergeant Dita, Head Private Dwi Purnomo, and Private Aharul.
The passengers, who were members of the Battalion 725/WRG, comprised Second Sergeant Ikrar Setya Nainggolan, Private Yanuarius Loe, Private Risno, Second Private Sujono Kaimuddin, and Second Private Tegar Hadi Sentana. (INE)
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Musa Abubar/Suharto
Editor: Eliswan Azly
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