Avner Bardugo is "the kind of person who just helps others," his mother, Rama, told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. "No questions asked."
So when the 25-year-old captain from the Israel Air Force's elite 669 search and rescue unit disappeared in Laos on Friday, his friends and fellow soldiers wasted no time in helping him. Five of his 669 comrades flew to Laos hours after he was reported missing to begin a search and rescue mission for Bardugo, who disappeared while kayaking down the dark and muddy Mekong River.
Bardugo, from the northern town of Ramat Yishai, was on a six-week leave from the army with a friend when his kayak hit a rock and overturned. The friend, also from 669, was able to make it to shore, and alerted authorities - in Laos and in Israel - of the incident. Bardugo's family was informed of his disappearance shortly afterwards, after a search and rescue mission led by a local team was already underway.
"That rescue attempt was joined on Saturday by the team from 669," said a soldier from the unit who was at the Bardugo home on Sunday. "They are currently searching on foot and are also using a helicopter to search from above."
The soldiers have their work cut out for them, as thick jungle covers the banks of the river, which runs from China all the way through Southeast Asia, feeding into the South China Sea.
Still, Bardugo's mother, who spent the weekend with her children, waiting anxiously for any news of their brother and son, lauded him as someone who never hesitates to give of himself and doesn't give up.
"It fit his personality to go into 669," Rama said of her son. "He enjoyed the search and rescue missions, and he enjoyed being a commander, teaching and instructing other soldiers. Now his soldiers can put their skills to use, and help bring him home."
Bardugo's military service speaks for itself. After finishing his mandatory stint in the Air Force, he tried out for both 669 and General Staff's elite reconnaissance unit (Sayeret Matkal).
"He was accepted to both," his mother said. "But 669 accepted him without any preconditions, so he went there and was extremely satisfied with his decision. He has always taken it upon himself to be a leader and lend a hand to those in need, so it just fit."
"He had been working extremely hard in the army," Rama continued. "He just finished his tour as a company commander, and he finally got a chance to take a little time off, so he went to Laos to clear his mind a bit, before coming back and starting back with 669."
Rama also explained that after Bardugo's father passed away nine years ago, he took over the job of raising his four siblings, helping out around the house and easing the burden on his mom.
"That's Avner," his mother said. "He's the kind of guy that picks up hitchhikers without thinking twice - no matter who they are. He just stops and gives them a ride."
Bardugo's family is asking for donations to help them with the rescue mission. Money can be donated from within Israel in NIS 10 increments by sending the text message "hilutz" (in Hebrew) to *3377, or deposited to Bank Discount branch 095, account# 12878.
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