U.S. President Joe Biden released a statement via X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 28 about the victims of the deadly aircraft crash off the Darwin coast that killed three U.S. Marines.
Three U.S. Marines were killed in an aircraft crash in Australia during a training exercise on the Tiwi Islands at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 27, with an additional five Marines being flown to Royal Darwin Hospital in serious condition.
Overnight, rescue and recovery teams worked on Melville Island, 80 kilometres north of Darwin, in response to the tragic incident.
Experts are currently in the process of investigating the factors that led to the crash of the U.S. military Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which was carrying a total of 23 Marines.
The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, with U.S. officials saying it’s too soon to say whether the accident was due to a mechanical failure or some other issue.
Tragic Incident a Reminder of the Significant Risks Undertaken by Defence
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was “tragic” at a scheduled press conference in Western Australia on Aug. 27.
“Our focus as a government and as a department of defence is very much on incident response and on making sure that every support and assistance is given at this difficult time,” he said.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the three U.S. service personnel who lost their lives, those who have been injured, the rest of the crew and indeed the entire United States armed forces,” they said.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, whose territory was hosting the defence exercise, said of the injured Marines that Australians were working to make sure everyone received care.
Exercise Predators Run
The Marines who were killed and injured aboard the aircraft were flying in support of Exercise Predators Run.The Predators Run is the territory’s largest Australian-led military exercise, involving about 2,500 soldiers, and takes place in both the Tiwi Islands and Darwin Harbour.
It’s a multinational exercise involving soldiers from Australia, the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste.
“Predators Run is ... a very important exercise for us. We’re moving from a land-based organisation to a maritime-based organisation. As a result, we’ll be moving into that environment, operating around the Tiwi Islands and in Darwin Harbour," Brigadier Nick Foxall said.
