Oklahoma CAP Suspends Search

January 24 - After searching nine days for a missing Muskogee physician and his small airplane, agencies involved in the search have reluctantly decided to suspend it indefinitely.

“We are saddened that we don’t have something more definite to report to the Nolen family,” said Civil Air Patrol Oklahoma Wing Commander Colonel Virginia Keller.  “But we did the best we could with the information that was available to us.”

Dr. Jack Nolen was reported overdue Friday, January 14, after a planned flight from Cox Field Airport in Paris, Texas, to Shawnee, Oklahoma.  The Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol was notified early Saturday morning, January 15, and began search operations.

A number of agencies have participated in and supported the search.  Oklahoma Highway Patrol aircraft and ground resources were used extensively, as were Hughes, Pittsburgh, and Seminole County Sheriff’s officers, Hughes County Emergency Management personnel, and volunteer firefighters.  The Salvation Army has supported search workers throughout the operation with food and logistics.

Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the United States Air Force, has been performing missions for America since 1941.  It conducts 95 percent of the inland search and rescue missions in the U.S. under the direction of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.  Members also support aerospace education activities and mentor America’s youth through the CAP cadet program.