Move FM Global News

OTTAWA, Canada – A search and rescue operation is continuing for crew members on board a Canadian military helicopter which went missing off the coast of Greece on Wednesday.

The Canadian Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, with 6 people on board, vanished west of Cephalonia island in the Ionian Sea. The chopper was deployed on HMCS Fredericton which is part of a NATO naval task force currently involved in Operation Reassurance.

Contact was lost with the aircraft as it was participating in Allied exercises off the coast of Greece.

Media reports are saying the body of one of the crew members has been found but this has not been confirmed.

“The CAF confirms we have contacted all primary family members of those who were on board the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter that was involved in an accident in the Mediterranean Sea. Search efforts continue with our Allies. The helicopter was operating with HMCS Fredericton as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2),” the Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement early Thursday morning..

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the development on Twitter.

“A Canadian helicopter involved in [Operation] REASSURANCE with NATO allies has gone missing off the coast of Greece. I have spoken with Minister [of National Defense] Harjit Sajjan, and search and rescue efforts are currently underway. Updates will be provided as soon as possible,” Trudeau said in a tweet.

The Canadian Armed Forces have more than 900 service members deployed in Central and Eastern Europe. They are there as part of NATO assurance and deterrence measures.

During Operation Reassurance, the CAF is conducting training, exercises, and some NATO-specific tasks.

The participation in Reassurance is Canada’s largest current international military operation.