Search Continues for Missing Firefighter
Vandenberg Leads Search; Hopeful that Lompoc Native Will Be Found Alive
The search for Sean Daniel Fleming, the 32-year-old Vandenberg Air Force Base firefighter who went kayaking on June 19 and never returned, resumed this morning at 8 a.m. after two days of rescue efforts. The search, which began Monday after Fleming did not show up for work, is being led by the Vandenberg AFB and includes Vandenberg Hot Shots units on the ground, water rescue teams scanning the coastline, and additional volunteers from local city and county fire departments. The Civil Air Patrol and Santa Barbara County helicopters are also set to take to the sky later today in open ocean searches.
Rescue efforts resumed this morning after yesterday’s search yielded both a satchel and kayak identified as belonging to Fleming. Searchers believe that Fleming’s 12 years of experience as a water rescue program manager may increase his chances of survival, and the risk/reward factor surrounding the search continues to be evaluated as the day goes on.
