Denali Highway plowed to Alpine Lodge to recover wreckage and search

Search and rescue aircraft have discovered the wreckage of an Air Force f-22 Raptor assigned to Elmendorf and Richardson Air Force bases not far from Cantwell. The search for the missing pilot continued today. The pilot has cold weather gear and is trained to survive in sub arctic and Arctic conditions.

The pilot’s name was released as Captain Jeffrey Haney by his hometown paper in Michigan.  The story stated that some of his family members were on their way to Alaska.  Haney’s wife and children are from Eagle River.

Residents near Cantwell report that the Denali Highway has been plowed down to the gravel by the military. Dog mushers and skiers should be aware of the possibility that they will not be able to use that area.  The owners of MacLaren Lodge at milepost 42 of the Denali highway say the military has plowed the road only to the Susitna River and that snow conditions are good for recreational travel between Paxson and the river.  Search crews are staging near Alpine Creek Lodge. Flights over the area are currently prohibited.