YOKOSUKA, Japan – At the request of the Government of Indonesia and as directed by U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet has authorized U.S. 7th Fleet to position USS Sampson (DDG 102) in the general search area for missing Air Asia Flight QZ8501 to support search operations.

Authorities in the region continue to lead the search and rescue effort. The U.S. Navy is working closely with the government of Indonesia to identify additional surface or airborne capabilities that best assist their search efforts.

USS Sampson is scheduled to be on the scene later today.

USS Sampson is homeported in San Diego and is in the midst of an independent deployment to the Western Pacific.