Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A company with local ties is assisting in the search for a missing submersible headed for the wreckage of the Titanic.
Three C-17 transport planes from the U.S. military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokeswoman for U.S. Air Mobility Command said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is also confirming the state is sending assistance.
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Pelagic Research, with an office in East Aurora, says it has been contacted by OceanGate Expeditions "to provide critical support in the current rescue operation of the submersible Titan in the North Atlantic." Pelagic says it is mobilizing as quickly and safely as possible.
An Air Mobility Command spokesperson tells WBEN that three C-17 military aircraft left Buffalo Niagara International Airport Tuesday. Those planes carried remotely operated vehicles and winches, as well as personnel to operate them.
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Hochul today announced that the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing is assisting the United States Coast Guard search and rescue operation for a missing submersible which had been exploring the wreckage of the Titanic.
Based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach on Long Island, the 106th is one of three Air National Guard search and rescue units in the country and the only one based on the East Coast. The 106th flies fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and rescue helicopters and has a unit of pararescue jumpers who are trained to rescue people on sea and on land.
"The women and men of New York's Air National Guard are always ready to lend a helping hand," Governor Hochul said. "I commend the members of the 106th Rescue Wing for their efforts to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in this search and rescue operation."
Monday, he 106th Rescue Wing launched an HC-130J Combat King search and rescue aircraft at 3:18 p.m. at the request of the Coast Guard. There were 13 Airmen on board including a team of pararescue jumpers. The aircraft flew 900 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and searched a designated area using forward looking infrared radar and onboard observers. The plane returned to base at 2 a.m. this morning, June 20. The wing has been asked to assist in the search again this afternoon and will launch an HC-130J with the same mission around noon.
Major General Ray Shields said, "When the Coast Guard called on the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing for assistance in this search mission, our Airmen responded quickly and professionally as they have in the past when called for other missions. Our men and women are always ready to respond when needed."