SEOUL, South Korea — Search crews fanned out across Osan Air Base to look for a missing U.S. airman this weekend after he was reported absent from his unit, officials said. Staff Sgt. Tristin Blake Jarvis, 26, of the 51st Force Support Squadron was last seen in the vicinity of the Osan Fitness Center on Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release. However, security forces searched his room and determined he had been there before changing and leaving, said 1st Lt. Daniel de la Fe, a spokesman for the 51st Fighter Wing. The search began after Jarvis’ first sergeant expressed concern for the airman’s safety and well-being on Thursday, triggering a call for base taxi drivers to be on the lookout, de la Fe said in an email. “Our search efforts are focused on base at the moment, but we’re working closely with (South Korean police) to review security footage off-base in the local area,” he said, adding that every organization in the wing was involved. The Air Force also flew drones over the base as part of the search, but Jarvis remained missing on Saturday. The Air Force said anybody with information should contact the Osan law enforcement desk at 0505-784-5515 or South Korean police at 112.

The force support squadron, Air Force Office of Special Investigations and South Korean police were working together in the search, the release stated. “It is our duty to protect and support our airmen, and we are putting all of our resources behind the search,” said Col. John Gonzales, the 51st Fighter Wing commander. “We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact law enforcement as soon as possible.” The sprawling base, which is about 35 miles south of Seoul, is home to the 51st Fighter Wing, the 7th Air Force and the South Korean air force’s operations command. It also is the arrival and departure point for the government-chartered troop transport flight known as the Patriot Express.

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