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Tech. Sgt. Joseph McCoy, Tech. Sgt. Eric Hill, 2nd Security Forces Squadron flight chiefs, and Master Sgt. Tamieka Morgan, 2nd SFS defense force operator, search for a route to a crash site at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 16, 2020. Airmen from the 2nd SFS, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 2nd Medical Group, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and local authorities worked in conjunction to locate and effectively respond to a civilian light aircraft crash on the east side of Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller)

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Staff Sgt. Brianne Davis-Robertson, 2nd Security Forces Squadron evaluator, answers phones and coordinates search and rescue efforts after a civilian light aircraft at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 16, 2020. Airmen from the 2nd SFS, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 2nd Medical Group, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and local authorities worked in conjunction to locate and effectively respond to a civilian light aircraft crash on the east side of Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller)

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Staff Sgt. Robert Bieber, 2nd Security Forces base dispatch operator, and Staff Sgt. Brianne Davis-Robertson, 2nd SFS evaluator, pinpoint coordinates of a crash site at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 16, 2020. Airmen from the 2nd SFS, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 2nd Medical Group, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and local authorities worked in conjunction to locate and effectively respond to a civilian light aircraft crash on the east side of Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller)

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Airmen from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire department answer phones and coordinate search and rescue efforts after a civilian light aircraft crash at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec.16, 2020. Airmen from the 2nd SFS, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 2nd Medical Group, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and local authorities worked in conjunction to locate and effectively respond to a civilian light aircraft crash on the east side of Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller)

Light aircraft crashes on the east side of Barksdale

Published Dec. 17, 2020
By Airman 1st Class Jacob B. Wrightsman
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --

Airmen from the 2nd Security Forces Squadron, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 2nd Medical Group, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and local authorities worked in conjunction to locate and effectively respond to a civilian light aircraft crash on the east side of Barksdale, Dec. 16, 2020.

At approximately 4:45 a.m., Dec. 16, 2020, local air traffic controllers lost radar contact with the aircraft over the east side reservation of Barksdale. The installation was notified by the Federal Aviation Administration at 5 a.m., and first responders were dispatched for a search with intent to rescue operation.

Personnel from the base, with assistance from Bossier Sheriff’s Office authorities, located the aircraft and two deceased passengers at approximately 8:25 a.m. The scene was secured and the incident is under further investigation.

“We intend to support these families as best we can, support the investigation as best possible, and then try to move on here in this holiday season knowing that the community is going to be hurting a little bit from the loss of individuals from the local area,” said Col. Mark Dmytryszyn, 2nd Bomb Wing commander.

After rescue attempts were made and the scene was deemed safe, a host of emergency response units from both Barksdale and the local area moved in to aid in the investigation.

The investigation, now coordinated between the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, is ongoing and has the full support of the 2nd Bomb Wing and base agencies.