Three Marines killed in NT Osprey crash
Marine Rotational Force – Darwin has confirmed that a US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash on Melville Island, north of Darwin, while transporting troops during a routine training exercise.
The incident took place at approximately 9.30am today, 27 August 2023.
There were a total of 23 personnel on board.
Three have been confirmed deceased while five others were transported to Royal Darwin Hospital in serious condition.
Recovery efforts are ongoing.
The Marines aboard the aircraft were flying in support of Exercise Predators Run, but no ADF personnel were involved in the incident.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
UPDATE 28 August 2023:
The names of the deceased are:
Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, of Arlington, Virginia, MV-22B Osprey crew chief.
Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, 29, of Belleville, Illinois, MV-22B Osprey pilot.
Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, of Jefferson, Colorado, Executive Officer of VMM-363.
Spencer Collart enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 26, 2020, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal on February 1, 2023. He served in Pensacola, FL, and Jacksonville, NC, before arriving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. Cpl Collart, an MV-22B crew chief, received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Eleanor LeBeau was commissioned in the Marine Corps on August 11, 2018, and was promoted to the rank of Captain on March 1, 2023. She served in Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, and Jacksonville, NC, before arriving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. Capt LeBeau, an MV-22B pilot, received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Tobin Lewis commissioned in the Marine Corps on August 22, 2008, and was promoted to the rank of Major on October 1, 2018. He has served in Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, Jacksonville, NC, and Okinawa, Japan, before arriving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. Maj Lewis, an MV-22B pilot, received two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
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