The three US Marines who died in a tragic plane crash while training in a joint national exercise in Australia over the weekend have been identified.
Crew member Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, and pilot Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, 29, and Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, died in the MV-22 Osprey crash on Sunday — 50 miles from the mainland city of Darwin, the outlet confirmed.
A total of 20 other service members who were on the plane when it crashed were rescued.
Five of the rescued Marines were taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition.
As of Monday, three Marines remained hospitalized — with one still listed in critical condition, the Marine Corps said.
The remaining two were treated for minor injuries and released.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of three respected and beloved members of the MRF-D family,” said Col. Brendan Sullivan, commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force Darwin, in a statement.
Corporal Spencer R. Collart is the MV-22B Osprey crew chief. US MARINE CORPS/AFP via Getty Images
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and all involved.”
The US Marine helicopter crashed during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023 as part of a multinational training operation that included military personnel from Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
About 2,500 people are involved in the exercise – 500 of them are from the US.
The Australian Defense Force (ADF) confirmed that no Australian service members were on board the helicopter when it crashed.
Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, female is an MV-22B Osprey pilot. US MARINE CORPS/AFP via Getty Images
All three Marines killed were assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 and based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, HI.
Collart, a native of Belleville, IL and the only member killed in the crash, joined the Marines in 2020 and was a crew chief for the squadron, the Marine Corps shared in a statement.
LeBeau, an osprey pilot, joined the service in 2018 from Arlington, VA.
Major Tobin J. Lewis is the squadron’s executive officer and served 15 years in the Marine Corps. US MARINE CORPS/AFP via Getty Images
Lewis, a native of Jefferson, CO, is the squadron’s executive officer and has served 15 years in the Corps.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Australian Defense Force, the Northern Territory Police, the Government of the Northern Territory, CareFlight Air and Mobile Services, NT Health, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, and the Government of Tiwi Island, who have to help us in this difficult time,” the statement said.
The MV-22B Osprey is an aircraft-helicopter hybrid capable of vertical takeoff and landing and is the branch’s primary strike support craft.
Accidents involving the MV-22B Osprey have claimed several lives since 1990.AP
A total of 50 service members have been killed in accidents involving the aircraft since 1990, according to Military.com.
The Marine Corps shared that they have not yet determined how the crash occurred, and that the investigation is ongoing.
The helicopter disaster was second fatal Marine Corps-related aviation incident in less than a week.
Maj. Andrew Mettler died while piloting an F/A-18D Hornet on Thursday night during training near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California before he crashed, the Marine Corps confirmed.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
