ADF support to USMC MV-22 recovery begins

The Australian Defence Force has commenced its support to US-led recovery operations following the MV-22 Osprey incident in Shoalwater Bay on Saturday, 5 August.

FILE PHOTO: HMAS Melville. Photo by Petty Officer Kev Bristow.

Royal Australian Navy survey ship HMAS Melville arrived in Shoalwater Bay overnight and commenced survey operations in the area shortly after.

HMAS Melville quickly located the submerged aircraft.

This morning, the RAN Clearance Diving team arrived in Rockhampton and has since embarked on HMAS Melville via landing craft.

The crew of HMAS Melville and RAN divers will conduct remotely operated underwater vehicle operations beginning this evening.

These operations will further survey the aircraft as a prerequisite for diving operations.

Minister for Defence Marine Payne said the Australian government remained prepared to offer further support as required and the ADF remained at short-notice readiness to support further requests.

 

The US Marine Corps members killed in the Osprey crash were 1st Lieutenant Benjamin R. Cross, 26, of Oxford, Maine, Corporal Nathaniel F. Ordway, 21, of Sedgwick, Kansas, and Private First Class Ruben P. Velasco, 19, of Los Angeles, California.

RIP

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