US Homeland Security leads search for Afghan trainees

Two men from Afghanistan who are undergoing training at an Air Force base in Georgia have been reported missing, officials said Tuesday.

Moody officials issued a statement but said there is no other updated information being released “at this point”. Moody officials informed him Tuesday morning the men were missing, he said.

Kohistani and Rohullah are not considered threats to the community and law enforcement’s priority is just finding the men and returning them to Moody Air Force Base.

Col. Chris Karns said Friday that Homeland Security, in coordination with the U.S. State Department, is leading efforts to locate the men. They were screened by both the US and the government of Afghanistan before their arrival in the United States more than a year ago, he said. The officials said the two men were a part of a 23-man group learning to fly and maintain an A-29 fighter plane at Moody Air Force Base outside Valdosta.

Georgia police say there’s no indication two Afghan nationals pose a threat after they went missing from an Air Force base. “They’re in the USA because it’s a safer environment to conduct training and by providing their name and image it potentially introduces unnecessary risk to them and their families”.

It’s not the first time foreign servicemen have left training programs at USA bases.