** Alaska based combat medic missing since last Thursday;bad weather hampering search
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Alaska police and the state’s National Guard near Anchorage continue to search for a combat
medic who went missing Thursday while out hiking. That is the word from KTUU
(Blake Essig/Feburary 22) which said poor weather has so far hampered the search for National
Guard Specialist Nephi Soper, 26. According to the news site, Soper’s absence was reported by
colleagues Friday when he did not show up for work. His last known whereabouts were at the
Propsect Heights trail head near Powerline Pass. A taxi driver dropped him and his gear at the site.
Officials say winds and low visibility are impeding air searches while avalanche dangers are
slowing those done by ground. Alaska National Guard Col. Lee Knowles said he still expects to
find Soper alive. Knowles said he has extensive training in cold weather conditions.
