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Search under way after US marines aircraft suffers 'mishap' off Australia Three missing after US marines Osprey aircraft suffers 'mishap' off Australia
(about 2 hours later)
A major search was under way on Saturday off the coast of Australia, after a “mishap” involving a US military aircraft. Reports said at least two service members were missing and feared dead. The US Marine Corps said on Saturday that a major search and rescue operation was under way for three missing service members following a “mishap” involving a US military aircraft off the Australian coast.
US Marine Corps sources in Japan said there was “an active search and rescue operation ongoing for service members involved in an MV-22 mishap off the east coast of Australia”. Marines based in Japan said “search and rescue operations continue for three US marines that were aboard an MV-22 Osprey involved in a mishap off of the east coast of Australia”.
“Twenty-three of 26 personnel aboard have been rescued,” a statement added.
The MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor is the primary assault support aircraft for the marines, with two engines positioned on fixed wing tips that allow it to land and take off vertically. It also has the ability to travel much faster than a helicopter.The MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor is the primary assault support aircraft for the marines, with two engines positioned on fixed wing tips that allow it to land and take off vertically. It also has the ability to travel much faster than a helicopter.
The US Marine Corps said in a statement small boats and aircraft were involved in the search. “The aircraft involved in the mishap had launched from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and was conducting regularly scheduled operations when the aircraft entered the water,” the statement said.
Australia’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper said two people were missing and feared dead, with unconfirmed reports that the rest of the 25 personnel on board had been rescued. The ship’s small boats and aircraft are involved in the search off Shoalwater Bay in Queensland.
The Osprey was believed to be in the region as part of the Australian-US joint military exercise Talisman Saber, which has just concluded in Queensland. “The circumstances of the mishap are currently under investigation,” the statement added.
Australian defence minister Marise Payne said she had spoken to Pentagon chief Jim Mattis to offer help.
“I can confirm no Australian Defence Force Personnel were on board the aircraft,” she said. “The United States are leading the search and recovery effort. I have briefed Prime Minister [Malcolm] Turnbull and spoken with Secretary Mattis this evening to offer Australia’s support in any way that can be of assistance.”
The Osprey was in the region as part of the Australian-US joint military exercise Talisman Saber, which has just concluded.
In December last year an MV-22 Osprey made what the marines called a “controlled landing” just off the coast of Okinawa during a night training flight that left the aircraft in pieces. No one was killed but the accident sparked anger on the Japanese island – a strategic outpost of US power.
A series of deadly accidents, mostly in the US, prompted frequent protests in Okinawa against the deployment of the aircraft to the island. In April 2000, 19 people were killed when an Osprey crashed in the US.