Col. Mark “Tyson” Sletten : "Air Force Colonel Missing in Alaskan Lake Crash"

Air Force colonel missing after small plane crash in Alaskan lake
Missing Air Force colonel in small plane crash at Alaskan lake.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaskan Command is in a state of shock as one of its own, Air Force Colonel Mark “Tyson” Sletten, remains missing after a tragic small airplane crash into Crescent Lake near Moose Pass on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Alongside Col. Sletten was Paul Kondrat, a Utah resident, who also remains unaccounted for following the harrowing incident that occurred on Tuesday.

The Alaskan Command: A Critical Mission

Col. Sletten, who serves as the director of operations for the Alaskan Command, based out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, is a vital figure in the organization’s homeland defense missions, civil support, and security efforts. The Alaskan Command, a part of the U.S. Northern Command, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the region and ensuring the safety of its residents.

Search and Rescue Efforts Underway

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, alongside volunteers from the Alaska Dive, Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team, are tirelessly working to locate the missing individuals. Using advanced techniques such as sonar, remotely operated vehicles, and trained divers, the team is scouring Crescent Lake for any signs of the downed aircraft and its occupants. The lake, which reaches depths of over 200 feet (61 meters) in some areas, presents a challenging environment for the search and rescue operation.

Two hikers first alerted authorities to the plane crash at Crescent Lake near Moose Pass on Tuesday afternoon. Subsequent aerial surveys conducted by an Alaska Department of Public Safety helicopter and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife float plane revealed debris on the lake’s surface, but no immediate signs of survivors either in the water or on the shore.

A Community in Mourning

Moose Pass, a small community located approximately 100 miles (161 kilometers) south of Anchorage, is grappling with the news of the tragic incident. The tight-knit Alaskan community has come together to support the search and rescue efforts, hoping for a positive outcome in the face of adversity.

As the search continues and the fate of Col. Sletten and Paul Kondrat hangs in the balance, the Alaskan Command and its allies remain steadfast in their commitment to bringing closure to this heartbreaking chapter.

News from © The Associated Press, 2024

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