Lt. Col. Mike Couillard, U.S. Air Force, and his son, Matthew, who have been
missing from a ski resort in northwestern Turkey since Sunday, January 15, were
found alive in a nearby area earlier today. They were taken to Bolu Hospital,
where preliminary reports indicate Lt. Col. Couillard is suffering from mild
frostbite, and his son is in good condition.
Both father and son will be flown by U.S. military aircraft to Incirlik Air
Base, where they are scheduled to arrive at approximately 10:30 a.m. (EST)
today. Mrs. Couillard and their children will also be flown on a separate U.S.
military aircraft from Ankara to Incirlik Air Base.
Based on preliminary information received from Lt. Col. Couillard, he and his
son took refuge in a snow shelter he constructed after the weather closed in on
them Sunday afternoon. The next day they found a cave in the vicinity, where
they stayed until today, when Lt. Col. Couillard was able to walk out of the
area and find assistance from local Turkish authorities.
Since they were lost, Lt. Col. Couillard and his son apparently subsisted only
on melted snow. Lt. Col. Couillard had attended the U.S. Air Force Combat
Survival Training Course, a 17-day course which includes instruction in
firecraft, shelter construction, food and water procurement and preparation,
and day and night land navigation.
We would like to express our appreciation for the complete cooperation of the
Turkish authorities in the search effort and the broad support of the Turkish
people.
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