Three helicopters deployed to evacuate slain US pilot

Three helicopters were deployed by Indonesia’s military to evacuate the body of U.S. pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, who was killed during an attack by armed separatists in the eastern Papua region. The incident unfolded on Friday when Goselin’s plane, a Pilatus aircraft registered as PK-RCY, landed at Balinggama airstrip in Yahukimo District after flying from Wamena. Upon arrival, the pilot was ambushed by unidentified attackers affiliated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM). According to military officials, the assailants opened fire on Goselin, resulting in his death. The attackers then set the aircraft ablaze, leaving the wreckage partially consumed by flames.

The Habema Joint Operations Command, responsible for coordinating military operations in the area, confirmed the deployment of three helicopters to transport Goselin’s remains. Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Wirya Artadiguna, the command’s spokesperson, stated that the evacuation began at 6:45 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time from Timika. He emphasized that the operation aimed to ensure the safe and efficient removal of the body to Jayapura, the regional capital. However, in subsequent reports, Wirya clarified that the body was actually destined for Timika, underscoring the logistical challenges of transporting remains in a remote and conflict-prone region.

Goselin, employed by PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), was one of several individuals traveling aboard the Pilatus aircraft. The flight carried seven passengers, all of whom survived the ordeal but were reportedly shaken by the attack. Identified as Eston Sobolim, Kluenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga, and Vaince Amo Hoso, these individuals were described as local residents or community members. The attack took place in Balinggama village, a location accessible only by air and situated approximately 30 minutes by plane from Dekai, the district capital. This isolated setting highlights the vulnerability of civilian and foreign travelers operating in the region, where separatist activities have escalated in frequency and intensity over recent years.

The perpetrators of the attack were identified by Yahukimo Police Chief Senior Adjunct Commissioner Zet Salino as members of the OPM, whose armed faction is designated as an illegal armed group (KKB) by Indonesian authorities. The OPM has long sought independence for Papua, a movement that has sparked decades of unrest and sporadic violence. Recent years have seen a surge in attacks targeting both civilians and security forces, with incidents such as the 2023 abduction of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, who was held hostage for over 18 months before his release in September 2024. These events underscore the persistent threat posed by separatist groups and the broader instability in the region.

In response to the latest incident, military and law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to maintaining security in Papua. The Habema Joint Operations Command noted that the attack was part of a larger pattern of violence linked to the ongoing separatist insurgency. While the immediate focus remains on the recovery and repatriation of Goselin’s remains, officials have warned that further action will likely be required to address the underlying causes of the conflict. As the situation unfolds, international attention continues to center on the safety of foreign nationals operating in the region and the effectiveness of government efforts to quell the separatist movement.