“At the time, this was the biggest search in the history of the country, involving 40 military and 20 civilian aircraft. Everything from Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, to Air Force spy aircraft, as well as numerous private aircraft. After thirty-nine days the air search was abandoned.”
I believe the SR-71 Blackbird was called into that search as well.
Actually my interest was the then very young William Clinton and his involvement. Just imaging a conspiracy theory of Begich and Clinton makes me dizzy.