Four air crew members are missing after an Australian army helicopter went down during joint military exercises with the United States off the coast of Queensland, according to officials. The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, carrying all Australian men, ditched into waters near Lindeman Island, a popular tourist resort in the Great Barrier Reef. A search operation involving personnel from the U.S., Canada, and Australia is currently underway, and debris believed to be from the helicopter has been recovered. The incident occurred during the biennial Talisman Sabre exercise, which involves 13 nations and over 30,000 military personnel.

The defense minister, Richard Marles, referred to the incident as a “ditching,” which denotes an emergency landing on water. He emphasized the inherent risks associated with defense exercises and expressed hope for positive news regarding the missing crew. The exercise was temporarily postponed, but limited activity resumed later in the day. As a precautionary measure, Australia has grounded its Taipan fleet. This is the second emergency involving an Australian Taipan helicopter this year, following a similar incident off the coast of New South Wales in March, when all passengers and crew were safely rescued.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was in Brisbane for a meeting, paid tribute to the missing air crew, noting the importance of training and preparation in ensuring successful crisis response. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed gratitude for their dedication and service in upholding shared freedom. Marles thanked the United States for their assistance in the search and rescue operation.

It was reported that the missing helicopter had recently dropped off two Australian commandos before the accident occurred. Australia had previously decided to retire its fleet of Taipans ahead of schedule in favor of 40 U.S. Black Hawks due to reliability issues with the European-built helicopters. The Taipan fleet had experienced various problems since its arrival in 2007, including issues with tail rotor blades and doors.

The search for the missing crew members continues, with hopes of finding them safe and well. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers involved in military exercises and the risks undertaken by those who wear the nation’s uniform. The joint U.S.-Australian exercises are crucial for maintaining defense readiness but also carry inherent risks. The support and collaboration between the two countries in this search and rescue effort demonstrate the strong alliance and partnership shared between Australia and the United States.