3 US Marines Go Missing Off Australia After Aircraft Crash

3 US Marines Go Missing Off Australia After Aircraft Crash
U.S. Marine MV-22B Osprey aircraft land on the deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard amphibious assault ship during events marking the start of Talisman Saber 2017, a biennial joint military exercise between the United States and Australia, off the coast of Sydney, Australia on June 29, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed
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SYDNEY/SINGAPORE—The Marine Corps said on Saturday a search and rescue operation was underway for three service members involved in an aviation “mishap” off the east coast of Australia, with 23 others rescued.

The incident involved an MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, the III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan said in a statement.

“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.

“The ship’s small boats and aircraft immediately responded in the search and rescue efforts.”

Journalists and officials fly aboard a U.S. Marines MV-22 Osprey Aircraft from the deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard amphibious assault ship off the coast of Sydney, Australia on June 29, 2017. (REUTERS/Jason Reed)
Journalists and officials fly aboard a U.S. Marines MV-22 Osprey Aircraft from the deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard amphibious assault ship off the coast of Sydney, Australia on June 29, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed