Eight US Marines were in hospital on Monday -- one of them in intensive care -- following a military aircraft crash in northern Australia that killed three of their comrades, authorities said.
Twenty-three Marines were on board the Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft when it crashed on Melville Island, north of Darwin, on Sunday morning during a military exercise for locally based troops.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said eight Marines were still receiving treatment and that she wanted to "assure their families that they are getting the best care possible and we're working to ensure they're supported".
Authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the crash and efforts are also under way to recover the remains of the three dead marines.
An exclusion zone has been established around the crash site.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy told reporters the recovery and investigation would be "prolonged, enduring and complex", adding that officials were expecting to be at the crash site for "at least 10 days".
"Absolutely everything" was being dedicated in terms of resources, he said.
He had earlier told local media that the aircraft hit the ground in "heavy bushland" but emergency responders were helped in their initial efforts by the location of a nearby airstrip.
Being able to land so close to the crash site had allowed casualties to be treated more quickly and "probably saved some lives", he said.
Air traffic control broadcasts from Darwin airport after the incident included communications from the site describing dark smoke and a "significant fire", but Murphy said he could not comment on why the Osprey had crashed.
US President Joe Biden led tributes to the troops involved in the incident, saying First Lady Jill Biden "and I send our deepest condolences to the families of the Marines who lost their lives in this deadly crash. We are praying for those who also suffered injuries".
- Exercise resumes -
"Predators Run" -- the exercise the Marines had been participating in -- was paused on Sunday, but an Australian defence official told AFP that it had resumed on Monday morning.
However, there will be no more exercise activities on the Tiwi Islands, the small group of islands that includes Melville, the scene of the crash.
Northern Australia has become an important staging ground for the US military in recent years, as Washington and Canberra work together to counter China's growing clout in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles told public broadcaster ABC on Monday morning that the loss of life would be felt by US and Australian forces.
"These are very tight-knit communities," he said.
The Osprey aircraft has a troubled history, blighted by a string of fatal crashes over the years.
Four US Marines were killed in Norway last year when their V-22B Osprey aircraft went down during NATO training exercises.
Three Marines were killed in 2017 when an Osprey crashed after clipping the back of a transport ship while trying to land at sea off Australia's north coast.
And 19 Marines died in 2000 when their Osprey crashed during drills in Arizona.
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BOEING
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Defense Industry Analyst rating: 8Stock Market Analyst rating: 6
General Industry Analyst rating: 7
Analyst Summary
:
On Sunday morning, a Boeing MV 22B Osprey tilt rotor aircraft crashed on Melville Island in Northern Australia during a military exercise for locally based troops. As a result, three of the 23 Marines on board were killed and eight more were hospitalized, with one of them in intensive care. Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles assured the families of the Marines that they are receiving the best care possible and that authorities are working to support them. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, and officials are expecting to be at the crash site for at least 10 days. The close proximity of an airstrip to the crash site likely saved some lives by allowing casualties to be treated quickly. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their condolences for the troops involved in the incident.
This crash is the latest in a series of events and trends in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years, including the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, the development of advanced defense technology and increased investment in defense research and development. While the incident in Australia is a tragic reminder of the risks associated with military operations, the technological capability of the Osprey aircraft and the proximity of the airstrip to the crash site are indicative of the advances in defense technology and the importance of strategic planning in military operations.
Investigative
Question:
- 1. What safety protocols were in place at the time of the crash?
- 2. What type of training was the crew undergoing during the exercise?
- 3.
What factors contributed to the crash?4. What are the implications of the crash for the defense industry in Australia?
5. How has the space and defense industry been impacted by this incident?
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