Crew missing in helicopter crash identified
The crew of the MRH-90 helicopter that crashed near Lindeman Island on Friday night during Exercise Talisman Sabre have been named.
CAPTION: Sailors on the bridge wing HMAS Brisbane scan the horizon during search and rescue operations for an Australian Army MRH-90 helicopter that crashed during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 in the vicinity of Lindeman Island, Queensland. Photo by Leading Seaman Hannah Linsley.
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart broke the news at a press conference at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney this afternoon.
The crew, from the Sydney-based 6th Aviation Regiment, are Captain Daniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs.
Lieutenant General Stuart said all four families had been consulted and had consented to the release of their names.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive sea and air search around the Whitsundays is continuing.
Yesterday, a major part of the wreckage of the missing MRH-90 Taipan was located near Hamilton Island.
Media footage shows a barge hauling the tail and about half the fuselage of the aircraft, upside down, from the water.
The recovered piece appears to be missing rear and main rotors and half of the fuselage from the back of the main door forward.
Brigadier Damian Hill, Talisman Sabre exercise commander, said the focus of the search was in recovering the full fuselage of the aircraft.
At time of reporting, no bodies have been recovered.
Speaking in Canberra earlier today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the loss of the helicopter and its crew was “a stark reminder that there are no safe or easy days for those who serve in our country’s name”.
Brigadier Hill said Exercise Talisman Sabre had recommenced, with the exception of MRH-90 flying operations fleet-wide and special-forces operations in the Whitsundays region.
Families seeking information and support can call the Defence Member and Family Helpline at 1800 624 608.
Additional support services are available from the ADF Members and Families crisis line.
.
.
.
.
.
Prayers for the families. Theirs is the hardest part, waiting for the news that their loved ones survived or perished. I hope for good news but chances for a positive outcome are slim to none.
Fair Winds and Following Seas.
USMC/USAF 1981 to 2007
Members of the RSL Tanunda Sub-Branch extend our deep condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of our deceased aircrew.
I lost two friends, Mick Baker and Rick Beadsworth, in Blackhawk accidents. It never gets easier. Prayers for the crew and their families and friends.
For the Prime Minister to say “a stark reminder that there are no safe or easy days for those who serve in our country’s name” is a load of shit….if there are no safe days or easy days, isn’t it time for the ADF to look at the purchases it has made over the years and realise that some of its procurements are of sub standard nature. From small items such as SCE all the way to wpns platforms to fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft to submarines…This is not just the current government, but successive governments that have taken the cheap option to equip our military forces…..if it were those pollies that were wearing the uniform…..they would have wished we paid top dollar for the top equipment…
Agree! Ex RAN 59 to 71 Cheers LWF. ????????????????Biro
Condolences to the Family. Rest In Peace Diggers.
An absolute crying arse shame that this sort of incident happened in a peacetime exercise. Heartfelt condolences go out to all those families who have lost loved ones. Many an incident has happened in the past with our ADF in peacetime and definitely won’t be the last, unfortunately these substandard aircraft should never have been purchased along with the useless tiger attack helicopter wasting valuble taxpayer money.