OUR PROCESS - STEPS TO RECOVERY

The Process MIA Hunters Goes Through - Step by Steps

RESEARCH:

1. Develop the initial lead and secure name of MIA and all other available information.

2. Secure background on the last known location and any relevant military history

3. Research the last military action the MIA was involved in

4. Search military archives

5. Identify any known surviving eye witnesses

6. Contact and debrief known eye witnesses

7. Locate any available post-mission reports or personnel involved in them

8. Locate squadron historian, if available

9. Locate squadron intelligence officer, if available

10. Identify and contact any surviving squadron members that are still alive

11. Develop coordinates for precise crash area from all above reports

12. Locate local interpreter in search area and hire (around $100/day)

13. Contact CILHI in Hawaii for any available details on incident

14. Check military Cemetery Archives for any records

15. Select best time of year for search - evaluate weather and costs

16. Evaluate risk of mission - personal and medical exposures

17. Arrange accommodations and transport in search area

18. Evaluate any geographical hindrances and barriers

19. Inform someone where you are going and provide itinerary

20. Go to search location and begin on-site investigation

Decision to go ahead with mission is based on evaluating three primary factors:

A) Risk of personal safety

B) Cost to reach and stay in search area

C) Likelihood of success

ON-SITE SEARCH:

1. Secure accommodations in area

2. Secure interpreter and local guide

3. Secure 4wd vehicle

4. Release to local press info on mission - solicit help from local Radio, TV, Newspapers

5. Optionally, offer reward for information ... if appropriate

6. Post announcements about mission in small towns village squares

7. Contact local cemeteries and research

8. Locate local veterans organizations and contact

9. Interview all seniors in locations near crash site 10. Follow-up on sighting and any eye witness reports

11. Repeat above until successful

AFTER LOCATING MIA

1. Use GPS to record exact coordinates of body/remains/plane

2. Photograph and videotape area

3. Secure contact info for all eye witnesses and key contacts

4. Secure best map available for the area and plot location on map

5. Try to recover any plane remnants for metalurgical verification in USA

6. Videotape interviews with any eye witnesses or key contacts

7. Determine stability of crash/grave site - will it be there in 3/6/12 months

8. Do NOT attempt to remove body unless imminent likelihood site will be destroyed

9. Confirm site is correct and determine if human remains are present

10. Contact key government agency for body recovery - (CILHI for U.S. personnel)