Three helicopters deployed to evacuate slain US pilot

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Habema Joint Operations Command deployed three helicopters on Friday to evacuate the body of American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, who was killed in an attack by armed separatists in the eastern Papua region, a military spokesperson said.

Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Wirya Artadiguna, spokesperson for the Habema Joint Operations Command, said the helicopters were dispatched to recover Goselin's body. Goselin was a pilot for PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA).

"The team departed Timika at 6:45 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time, and we hope the evacuation proceeds safely and smoothly," Wirya told ANTARA by telephone from Jayapura on Friday.

Wirya said preliminary information indicated the 29-year-old American pilot died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the separatists, although authorities were awaiting confirmation from personnel at the scene.

"The plan is to fly the body directly to Jayapura," Wirya said.

The attackers also set fire to the Pilatus aircraft, registration PK-RCY, after it landed at Balinggama airstrip following a flight from Wamena carrying seven passengers.

The seven passengers on the Associated Mission Aviation flight were identified as Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Vaince Amo Hoso.

Yahukimo Police Chief Senior Adjunct Commissioner Zet Salino said the attackers belonged to the Free Papua Movement (OPM), whose armed wing is officially classified by Indonesian authorities as an armed criminal group (KKB).

He said the attack occurred in Balinggama village, accessible only by air and located about 30 minutes by plane from Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo District.

Violence linked to the decades-long separatist insurgency in Papua has intensified in recent years, with attacks targeting civilians, infrastructure workers and Indonesian security forces.

One of the highest-profile incidents was the abduction of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens in Nduga District on Feb. 7, 2023, by fighters led by Egianus Kogoya.

Mehrtens was held captive for more than 18 months before being released in September 2024.

Related news: US pilot's body evacuated after Papua separatist attack

Related news: Task force: 20 KKB members behind Smart Air shooting in South Papua

Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution

Editor: Primayanti

Copyright © ANTARA 2026