A Norwegian Lockheed C-130J Hercules military transport plane has gone missing in Northern Sweden with five officers on board. The aircraft has been taking part in invitational military event called Exercise Cold Response 2012. The purpose of the exercise is to practise high intensity multi threat operations in cold weather conditions and has troops from 15 countries taking part.
Land operations are conducted in Troms County in Norway but Air Operations stretch across most of Northern Norway and Northern Sweden with Luleå as the Swedish base and smaller forces operating in the border area from Narvik Norway to Kiruna Sweden.
Emergency signals were said to have been detected near Kebnekaise. Poor weather and remote location has been hampering rescue operations. The aircraft was heading from Narvik to Kiruna. Other Hercules aircraft taking part in the exercise have been grounded.
***UPDATE on Saturday 17th***
Swedish search & rescue has found the wreckage of the plane on Rabots glacier on Kebnekaise. The search for the missing crew continues in difficult conditions. While the weather has now improved, heavy snowfall of the last two days that has hidden the marks of the accidents. A risk of avalanches is also very high.
***UPDATE on Saturday evening***
Swedish police says they have found body parts on the scene. Rescue mission has been aborted as the police is saying it has become evident that the aircraft has exploded as it hit the mountain. Police is now presuming there are no survivors and family members have been contacted.
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