Authorities have confirmed pieces of debris have been retrieved in the search for four Australian Defence personnel who are feared dead following a military helicopter crash in Queensland's Whitsundays overnight.
The MRH90 Taipan was involved in a two-helicopter training mission as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre when it crashed off Hamilton Island just after 10.30 pm on Friday.
A search and rescue immediately commenced as the other helicopter was present, however, the four missing aircrew are yet to be located.
The Australian, US and Canadian Airforce and Navies commenced a search operation on Saturday morning focused on a site in the middle of the Whitsunday passage between North and South Molle Islands.
About 800 aircraft and vessels have been deployed to scour the area with helicopters photographed lifting large pieces of debris from the ocean.
A one-kilometre exclusion zone has been established where the debris was found with the retrieved pieces being transferred to a nearby HMAS Brisbane.
HMAS Adelaide is set to arrive late Saturday evening to assist with the rescue mission followed by HMAS Huon early Sunday morning.
At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Queensland Police acting assistant commissioner Douglas McDonald confirmed helicopter debris had been recovered by search and rescue teams.
"[The debris] appears to be from a helicopter at this stage, it's too early to confirm exactly which parts are from the helicopter, that will form our investigation," he said.
"We have a barge up working up there, we also have police working around those islands, patrolling beaches.
"And can I encourage any members of the community who are on those beaches and come across anything that they might think is debris related to this incident to contact police immediately and not touch the items."
Talisman Sabre Exercise Director Brigadier Damian Hill said the missing pilots were part of the 6th Aviation regiment located at the Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney.
He said the military has suspended use of the MRH-90 helicopter fleet in future training exercises as a precaution.
"For those service members, those veterans, and those members of the community that are suffering as a consequence of this I ask that you reach out to the relevant support services," he said.
At a press conference on Saturday morning Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the families of the aircrew have been notified of the incident.
"Our thoughts and our hopes are very much with the aircrew and their families, with thoughts of the search and rescue crews as they go about their work right now," he told reporters at a press conference on Saturday.
"Defence exercises which are so necessary for the readiness of our defence force are serious - they carry risk.
"And as we desperately hope for better news during the course of this day, we are reminded about the gravity of the act which comes with wearing our nation's uniform."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released an emotional statement on social media, extending his support to the families involved.
"Our first thoughts are with the loved ones of the missing," the statement reads.
"All Australians hold them in our hearts and we hold onto hope as the search and rescue teams go about their work right now.
"We have the utmost confidence in their professionalism and skill."
The Talisman Sabre exercises are designed to strengthen the nation's military ties with the United States and other allies.
More than 30,000 defence personnel from 13 countries are taking part in joint drills which involve testing warfighting capabilities by simulating real-world scenarios.
The participating defence forces include the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, France, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga.
Personnel from Singapore, India, Taiwan and the Philippines have attended as observers.
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2023-07-29 08:46:58Z
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