BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – A distressing incident occurred during joint military exercises between Australia and the United States, as a MRH-90 Taipan helicopter from the Australian army ditched into waters off the Queensland state coast. The unfortunate incident took place near Hamilton Island, a popular tourist resort located in the Great Barrier Reef, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Friday, according to Defence Minister Richard Marles.
As of Saturday, four air crew members were reported missing, and authorities had launched a search and rescue operation to locate them. The families of the missing crew had been informed about the situation.
During the search, a rescue helicopter spotted debris near Dent Island in the Whitsunday Islands group, adding to the urgency of the operation.
The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter was participating in Talisman Sabre, a biennial joint military exercise involving both U.S. and Australian forces, primarily centered in Queensland. This year’s exercise saw participation from 13 nations and over 30,000 military personnel.
Minister Marles confirmed that the helicopter had performed a “ditching,” which refers to an emergency landing on water. At the time of the incident, the helicopter was on a mission along with another aircraft, which immediately initiated the search and rescue efforts.
Defence Force Chief Gen. Angus Campbell stated that the search involved assistance from Queensland state authorities, members of the public, and U.S. military personnel, reflecting the seriousness and gravity of the situation.
Marles emphasized that military exercises are essential for the preparedness of defense forces but also carry inherent risks. He expressed hope for positive developments during the search while acknowledging the serious nature of the event for those donning the nation’s uniform.
This marks the second emergency involving an Australian Taipan helicopter this year. In March, another Taipan ditched into the sea off the New South Wales state coast during a nighttime counterterrorism training exercise. Fortunately, all 10 passengers and crew members were successfully rescued in that incident.
Amidst the ongoing search and rescue operations, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Brisbane for a meeting on Saturday and is scheduled to travel with Minister Marles to north Queensland on Sunday to observe the Talisman Sabre exercise.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, the exercise has been temporarily paused while authorities focus on locating the missing air crew and providing support to their families.
During a meeting with their Australian counterparts, Defense Secretary Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid tribute to the missing air crew, acknowledging the risks involved in rigorous training while emphasizing the importance of such exercises to ensure preparedness and safety in times of crisis.
Both officials expressed gratitude to the air crew for their dedication and service, highlighting the shared commitment to protecting freedom, a value that unites their nations.