Three U.S. Marines were killed and at least five were critically injured when their aircraft, an MV-22 Osprey carrying 23 service members, crashed in northern Australia during routine multinational exercises, according to the U.S. military.
Exercise Predators Run
“The Marines aboard the aircraft were flying in support of Exercise Predators Run,” the Marines said in the statement. “Recovery efforts are ongoing. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Further details will be provided as the situation develops.”Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were used to retrieve the remaining injured from the distant site, Commissioner Michael Murphy of the Northern Territory Police said.
Mr. Murphy noted that the Osprey that crashed was one of two that had flown to Melville from Darwin on Aug. 27.
One of the injured was undergoing surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said about six hours after the crash.
“We acknowledge that this is a terrible incident,” Ms. Fyles said. “The Northern Territory government stands by to offer whatever assistance is required.”
About 2,500 troops from the United States, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and East Timor were taking part in Exercise Predators Run 2023.
Melville is part of the Tiwi Islands.
‘Tragic’
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident “tragic.”He noted that Australian personnel weren’t involved in the crash.
“The initial reports suggest that the incident involves just U.S. defense force personnel," the prime minister said at a previously scheduled press conference in Western Australia.
“Our focus as a government and as a department of defense is very much on incident response and on making sure that every support and assistance is given at this difficult time.”
In a separate statement, Mr. Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles expressed condolences.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the three U.S. service personnel who lost their loved ones, those who have been injured, the rest of the crew, and indeed the entire United States armed forces,” the statement reads.
“Australian and U.S. personnel have stood shoulder to shoulder for more than a century. Our Alliance is built upon these enduring links and our shared values. This incident is a reminder of the significance of the service undertaken by our personnel and those of our partner nations. Australia will continue to provide assistance to our friends for as long as is required.”
The United States and Australia have enhanced military collaboration recently, responding to a more aggressive Chinese Communist Party in the Pacific.
In July, four Australians were killed during large multinational military exercises in which the U.S. military also participated. Their helicopter, an army MRH-90 Taipan, crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland.
