American Osprey missing in Norway
An American Osprey aircraft taking part in the Norwegian military exercise Cold Response, went missing on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Osprey belongs to the U.S. Marine Corps and is taking part in the Norwegian military exercise Cold Response in Norway. The aircraft has a crew of four and was out on a training mission in Nordland County, northern Norway on Friday 18 March 2022.
It was heading northwards in Nordland County en route to Bodø, where it was scheduled to land right before 18:00 local time. The aircraft's last known position was at Saltfjellet, south of Bodø.
The Osprey was reported missing at 18:26 local time Friday and the civilian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Northern Norway immediately launched a search and rescue operation.
A rescue helicopter from Bodø was deployed, together with one of the Norwegian Armed Forces' P-3 Orion aircraft. In addition, a rescue helicopter was scrambled from Ørland Air Base, but this mission was later cancelled.
At 21:17 Friday, discoveries were made from the air in Gråtådalen in Beiarn, south of Bodø. Due to the weather conditions, it has not been possible to enter the site from the air. Police and rescue crews are now on their way into the area by foot and snow mobiles.
The weather conditions in the area are challenging, and are expected to worsen throughout the night and Saturday.
Further coordination is handled by the police in Nordland.
Press Contacts
- Police in Nordland County: +47 48 99 37 70
- Norwegian Armed Forces: lt.cl. Stine Barclay Gaasland, telephone +47 95 74 15 32
