Eglin transitions to recovery effort Published March 12, 2015 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Eglin search and rescue efforts have located the missing Army UH-60 aircraft. "At this point, we are not hopeful for survivors and we're transitioning our search and rescue to a recovery effort," said Col. Monte Cannon, 96th Test Wing vice-commander. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family members and the units where our soldiers and Marines call home." Out of respect for all family members involved, and as a matter of policy and practice, the identity of the military members will not be confirmed until 24 hours after the final next of kin notification is complete. Once names are releasable, please contact the respective Army National Guard and Marine Corps public affairs agencies to confirm those names. It is anticipated the recovery will shift to the responsibility of the safety investigation board sometime today. That effort will be headed by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center out of Fort Rucker, Alabama. "I want to thank our partner agencies that have contributed their exhaustive efforts in the initial response to this terrible tragedy," said Cannon. "The U.S. Coast Guard and multiple state and county agencies have been extraordinarily supportive and we appreciate all their assistance." The Eglin Fire Department has been the lead for this emergency operation. They are teamed with more than 100 participants from the Hurlburt Fire Department, Santa Rosa County Sheriff, Santa Rosa County Emergency Response, Escambia County Search and Rescue, Coast Guard, Navarre Beach Fire Department and the Red Cross. Anybody along the Santa Rosa Sound who finds wreckage or anything else they suspect may be involved with the crash of the Army helicopter, please immediately call Hurlburt Field Public Affairs at (850) 884-7464, ext. 4.