Coast Guard, local agencies continue search for missing Air Station Barbers Point Coast Guardsman

HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard continues to work with local authorities in the search for Petty Officer 1st Class Russell Matthews, an aviation survival technician from Air Station Barbers Point, Oahu, Thursday.

Matthews’ car was discovered Wednesday morning by the Honolulu Police Department in a Kaena Point, Oahu, parking lot. The Honolulu Fire Department conducted an aerial, shoreline and offshore search for Matthews.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point deployed to assist in the search at approximately 4 a.m., Wednesday. The Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island also began searching offshore while personnel assisted local authorities in a shoreline search Wednesday.

Multiple land and air searches have continued Thursday. The Galveston Island, Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews continue to search offshore.

A Navy P3 Orion aircraft crew assisted with the search during Wednesday night. Hawaii Fire Department’s Air One helicopter as well as ground teams have been searching along the north and south shores of Kaena Point since 8 a.m.

Four self locating datum marker buoys have been deployed to assess wind and current direction in order to identify search areas. A total of 1,233 square miles, and 2,692 miles of trackline, have been searched by the Coast Guard and assisting agencies.

Individuals with any information are asked to contact the Honolulu Police Department by dialing 911 or the Coast Guard Sector Command Center at (808) 842-2600.

Matthews has been stationed at Air Station Barbers Point since 2007 and has been in the Coast Guard since 1997.