Released: Sep 15, 1997
by Staff Sgt. Amy Hickey
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Nine Air Force members assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., are missing after the C-141 they were flying in disappeared over the South Atlantic Sept. 13.
Capt. Peter C. Vallejo, Capt. Gregory M. Cindrich, Capt. Jason S. Ramsey, Staff Sgt. Robert K. Evans, Staff Sgt. Scott N. Roberts, Staff Sgt. Stacy D. Bryant, Senior Airman Gary Bucknam, Senior Airman Frankie L. Walker and Airman Justin R. Drager, left Windhoek Air Field, Namibia, aboard the cargo aircraft Sept. 13 at 4:11 p.m. (local) and were due to arrive at Ascension Island at 7:51 p.m. (local).
When the aircraft failed to reach the British territory located about 550 miles off the coast of South Africa, search-and-rescue teams were called in.
The C-141 had traveled to Namibia to transport Army troops and mine-clearing equipment. Officials said that missions have been flown in and out of Windhoek Air Field in the past.
U.S. officials are working with the German government to determine if there is any connection between the missing C-141 and a German TU-154 that also vanished.
"They both went missing at about the same time and about the same area," said Kenneth Bacon, a spokesman at the Pentagon in Washington.
Aircraft and personnel from numerous Air Mobility Command bases are on alert status to aid in the search-and-rescue effort if necessary, according to officials.
"Our main concern right now is locating the missing crewmembers and their aircraft," said Lt. Gen. John B. Sams Jr., AMC vice commander. "We're aiding the search-and-rescue effort, providing airlift and aerial refueling support to the search operations. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the families of our missing airmen."
A safety investigation board has been convened consisting of 15 officers with various areas of expertise.
Col. Robert A. Saunders, stationed at McChord AFB, Wash., will preside over the board. According to officials, Saunders has extensive flying experience in the C-141 and has previously presided over safety investigations.
The board will investigate the events leading up to the incident over the next 30 days and will report their findings directly to Gen. Walter Kross, AMC commander, officials said. (Courtesy of AMC News Service)""