July 29, 2023 08:41 am | Updated 10:19 am IST - BRISBANEFour air crew members were missing after an Australian army helicopter ditched into waters off the Queensland state coast during joint military exercises with the United States, officials said Saturday. The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter went down near Hamilton Island, a Great Barrier Reef tourist resort, at about 10.30 p.m. Friday, Defense Minister Richard Marles said. The Taipan was taking part in Talisman Sabre, a biennial joint U.S.-Australian military exercise that is largely based in Queensland. Mr. Marles said the helicopter ditched, which refers to an emergency landing on water. Defense Force Chief Gen. Angus Campbell said Queensland state authorities, members of the public and U.S. military personnel were taking part in the search.

Source: The Hindu July 29, 2023 03:49 UTC