Air Force seeks public help in locating missing Shaw airman

Shaw Air Force Base officials are searching for an airman who has been missing for a week.

Airman First Class Taylor Phinney did not report to work on June 21. His 1997 red Kia Sephia was found at a Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon, Ill., June 23, according to a press release. He is believed to have checked out of the Holiday Inn at approximately 6:30 a.m., June 21, the release said.

Phinney is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 167 lbs. He has brown eyes, brown hair and is a Caucasian in his early twenties.

The 20th Fighter Wing and U.S. Air Force officials are searching for details surrounding Taylor's disappearance, and ask for anyone with information to contact them.

"First, we just want to make sure he's safe," said Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander.

Phinney is a member of the 20th Communications Squadron. His commander, Lt. Col. Joshua Close said he is “deeply concerned” about the missing Airman.

“Taylor's safety and his return to Shaw AFB are our top priorities, right now,” Close said. "We're asking anyone who knows anything about his whereabouts to please let us know. Everyone was surprised by his failure to show up for work, and, honestly, we're doing everything we can to make sure he's OK."

Anyone with information is asked to call the 20th Security Forces Squadron at 803-895-3669 or 803-895-3600.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Air Force seeks public help in locating missing Shaw airman."