World

Australian Aircrew Identified Following Military Chopper Accident

The names of four pilots thought slain when an Australian Defence Force helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland were revealed on Sunday by Australia’s army chief.

The MRH-90 helicopter was participating in the biennial Talisman Sabre military exercises between the United States and Australia when it crashed into waters at Hamilton Island, about 890 kilometres (550 miles) north of the state capital Brisbane, late Friday.

Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of Army, addressed the media in Sydney and identified the missing soldiers as Captain Daniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs.

All four were members of the 6th Aviation Regiment of the Australian Army, located in Sydney.

“Let’s be focused on bringing them home”, Stuart said, adding that the search for the four young men remains ongoing.

He stated that the army will not fly MRH-90 helicopters until it felt it was safe to do so.

Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters in Townsville, Queensland, that the disaster would be thoroughly investigated.

The incident marred this weekend’s annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) conversation in Queensland state between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, as well as their Australian counterparts.

“My thoughts are with the four Australians who were involved in the helicopter crash”, Lloyd said to troops participating in Talisman Sabre in Townsville.

The joint military drills, which had been temporarily halted due to the hunt for the missing airmen, have now resumed.

The event consists of two weeks of war simulations with over 30,000 troops and participants from 11 additional countries as a display of might and solidarity in the face of China’s military buildup in the region.

Also read: Gulf Stream Current Collapse Might Cause Climate Chaos In 2025

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

PM Modi Meets Bhutan PM Tobgay At BIMSTEC Summit; Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties & Regional Cooperation

PM Narendra Modi met Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC…

3 hours ago

Jamia Students Back Waqf Amendment Bill; Call It A Step Toward Empowerment

The student group 'Shaher-E-Arzoo' expressed firm support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a…

5 hours ago

India’s Exports To The US Face Limited Impact From Tariff Hike: SBI Report

The 27% tariff hike by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods will have only…

5 hours ago

Waqf Freed From Mafia Control, New Era Of Development Begins For Muslims: MRM

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in both Houses of Parliament, celebrations…

6 hours ago

India’s Forex Reserves Surge To $665.4 Billion; Rupee Strengthens As Trade Deficit Narrows

India’s forex reserves jumped $6.6 billion to a five-month high of $665.4 billion for the…

7 hours ago

Laxmi Singh Leads Gautam Buddha Nagar Police To Historic No 1 Rank In IGRS Across All Stations

Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, led by CP Laxmi Singh, achieved a historic feat with all…

8 hours ago