Update: 2 p.m.
Lt. Col. Curtis Kellogg, spokesman for the 25th Infantry Division, said this afternoon that the Army has notified all the families of the five soldiers who are missing after the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter they were flying in Tuesday night crashed into the sea off Kaena Point. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the soldiers at this difficult time,” he said at an afternoon press conference with spokesmen from other search agencies at the Haleiwa Harbor command center.
He said the Army is keeping the families updated as the search-and-rescue operation continues with participation of the Army, Coast Guard, Honolulu firefighters and city Ocean Safety lifeguards. The helicopter had two pilots and three crewmen when it crashed.
Kellogg praised the multi-agency team effort to find the missing soldiers. “Everyone here is committed to this endeavor that you see before you,” he said.
He stressed that the operation remains a search-and-research mission. “We are here to bring our soldiers home to their families,” Kellogg said.
Coast Guard Lt. Scott Carr said the search is concentrated in an area three-to-five miles off Kaena Point. HFD Capt. David Jenkins noted the water in the area is 500 to 600 feet deep.
Search continues for 5 soldiers after Black Hawk copter crashes off Oahu