Air Force Link
Missing Airman declared dead

Related Stories
 Competition challenges Airmen's warfighting abilities - 2/1/2007

Related Links
 Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

Story Tools
 Printable story  E-mail story

 Add yourself to one of various Air Force e-mail subscriptions here Subscribe now


2/1/2007 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNEWS) -- Andersen AFB officials announced Airman 1st Class Michael McDonald has been declared dead Jan. 31.

Airman McDonald was reported missing Jan. 27 off Tarague Beach here.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Airman McDonald's family and friends during this tragic event," said Brig. Gen. Douglas Owens, the 36th Wing commander.

Airman McDonald, who was deployed here from Minot AFB, N.D. and assigned to the 36th Maintenance Squadron, enlisted in the Air Force April 20, 2004.

After graduating basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he was trained as an aircraft structural maintenance technician and served in this capacity for more than two years while assigned to the 5th Maintenance Squadron at Minot AFB.

A coordinated-joint rescue team searched the waters around Tarague Beach since Jan. 27. The team included assets from the Guam Police Department, the Guam Fire and rescue unit, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Assateague, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 helicopters, a P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and Andersen's fire department water rescue team.

"I'm extremely impressed by the professionalism of all the agencies involved and their ability to quickly coordinate their rescue efforts," General Owens said. "It's tragic events like these that highlight how well we as a community can work together. Team Andersen is grateful to all those who had a part in the search and rescue and recovery operations."

The Jan. 27 incident is currently being investigated.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page




 Advanced Search

Personnel Matters
Global War on Terror
Mission/Training
Sports/Recreation
Space/Technology
Humanitarian
Heritage
AFSO 21
• CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 3

• Airmen race against time for Manta kids

• Diving: day-one action wraps up at Air Force Invitational

• Strike Eagles 'rain thunder' on enemy

• Moody opens doors to new housing

• Air Force selects 65 officers for pilot, navigator, ABM training

• Japanese get first look at Raptor capabilities

• SECAF town hall meeting: Every Airman an ambassador

• Programs allow deployed Airmen to e-mail, chat with family

• Guam honors Andersen Airman

• AFSO 21: Achieving a smarter staffing process

• Travis medics deploy to Afghan hospital

• Captain shares language with Japanese airmen

• AFMC commander visits Southwest Asia

African-American History Month: 'Heroes for all Americans'


Around the AF Podcast


RSS Feed
AF News via RSS

Site Map   |   Contact Us  |   Security and Privacy notice