FORT SILL, Okla. (May 28, 2015) -- The somber search for Staff Sgt. David Lee Hawkins ended at 2:48 p.m. May 21, after Soldiers manning an observation post spotted his body in Medicine Creek.
"Our sincere condolences and prayers are with Hawkins' family. We will continue to ensure they receive the best support from our care team and the Fort Sill community," said Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general.
Hawkins was a water treatment specialist assigned to 100th Brigade Support Battalion. He was reported missing May 18, after failing to report to morning formation.
An investigation is under way to determine why Hawkins drove around cones marking off Four-Mile low water crossing early May 17.
FOUR-DAY SEARCH
Fort Sill firefighters and the Lawton Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team recovered his vehicle May 18 and the search for Hawkins began.
The Incident Command Post was quickly established at the Sportsman's Center for its optimal location near Medicine Creek and local emergency responders, Oklahoma Highway Patrol aviation crewmen were mobilized.
Eighty five Soldiers spread out across the span of the creek standing guard and taking note of anything they spotted in the waters.
A National Guard UA-60 Black Hawk and a CH-47 Chinook took to the skies along with an Oklahoma Highway Patrol helicopter.
"Additionally we've been able to tap into some resources, both military and civilian, with the use of unmanned aerial devices. That gives us the capability to search above and below the tree canopies," said Clint Langford, Fort Sill fire chief.
Soldiers from Sill were asked to use their experience to help find Hawkins alongside civilian law enforcement.
"Being a forward observer, a couple of us have done some aerial observing before that's why they wanted us to kind of help out," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Nestell, Monti Hall noncommissioned officer in charge.
Crews scanned continuously for four days, while emergency services used boats when the weather allowed it.
"Currently Medicine Creek is outside of its banks and we're in the flood stage. Any additional rain will just increase the elevation of the flood waters and the velocity of the water making it more dangerous for first responders," said Langford.
Water levels continued to rise as two separate sightings, one May 19 and the other May 20, helped narrow down the search area, but crews were unable to positively identify if it was in fact Hawkins.
"We have to recognize that we have family involved in this search and understand the sensitivities of the word found and what it could mean to them," said Lt. Col. J.P. Maddaloni, Strategic Communications commander.
Non-stop operations continued May 21 with great fervor while the weather began to cooperate.
"Today we feel like is an optimal window of opportunity. We're trying to get ahead of the weather that's coming in and we're throwing every asset and resource we can and we've saturated this area with troops, boats, and aircraft, any type of technology we can get to this area right now," said Langford.
Shortly before 3 p.m. Soldiers were able to positively identify Hawkins, ending the search.
"In the Army we have a saying, 'Never leave a fallen comrade behind.' Sergeant Hawkins' family is receiving the highest level of support; not only from the commander, but also from the care team we have in place," said Maddaloni.
More rain is expected in the forecast with possible flash floods affecting Fort Sill residents. The moving water over roadways and low water crossings is extremely dangerous. Currently there are barricades in front of all low water crossings on post as it only takes four inches of moving water to carry a vehicle off the road.
"It's very important at this point that we all understand that the safety and wellbeing of Soldiers and family members on Fort Sill has our highest priorities," said Maddaloni.
Safety updates are being posted regularly on the Fort Sill website at Sill-www.army.mil/weather as well as the Facebook page.
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