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Homeland Security takes lead in search for Afghan trainees

FILE -In this Friday, Oct. 29, 1999 file photo, a mock F-16 fighter jet is silhouetted against the sky at sunrise as workers pass through security and make their way onto Moody Air Force Base, near Valdosta, Ga. Officials say two male Afghan nationals being trained at an Air Force base in Georgia have gone missing. In a news release issued Tuesday night, base officials said the two students didn't report on Monday to "their regular maintenance training" with the 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Force base. (AP Photo/Mark Foley, File) FILE -In this Friday, Oct. 29, 1999 file photo, a mock F-16 fighter jet is silhouetted against the sky at sunrise as workers pass through security and make their way onto Moody Air Force Base, near Valdosta, Ga. Officials say two male Afghan nationals being trained at an Air Force base in Georgia have gone missing. In a news release issued Tuesday night, base officials said the two students didn't report on Monday to "their regular maintenance training" with the 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Force base. (AP Photo/Mark Foley, File)

By Associated Press December 11, 2015 1 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Air Force officials say the Department of Homeland Security has taken the lead role in the search for two Afghan men who disappeared while training with the U.S. military at a base in south Georgia.

Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Karns said Friday that Homeland Security, in coordination with the U.S. State Department, is leading efforts to locate the men.

Air Force officials have said the men were screened before entering the U.S. and there’s no evidence they pose a threat.

Officials at Moody Air Force base near Valdosta said the men didn’t report Monday to maintenance training with the 81st Fighter Squadron.

The two had been at Moody since February as part of training aimed at improving the Afghanistan air force. The military hasn’t released their names.