Royal Australian navy assists with V-22 recovery mission

The Royal Australian navy's clearance diving team completed an embark today aboard the hydrographic survey vessel Melville (A-246) to assist in recovery operations near the site where a Marine Corps V-22 Osprey entered the water Aug. 5.

"The location of the MV-22 was detected on Aug. 6 by [the] Melville using its hydrographic capabilities," according to an Aug. 7 Marine Corps statement.

The dive team finalized planning in conjunction with Marine and U.S. Navy personnel aboard the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), the statement reads.

"I want to thank the Australian Defence Force, and the crew of the HMAS Melville in particular, for their assistance in the search and recovery effort of our MV-22 that went down off the coast of Australia," Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, III Marine Expeditionary Force‎ commander said in the statement. "They volunteered their help before we could even ask, demonstrating their friendship and value as international partners. The crew of the Melville and its assets have been invaluable in the recovery effort. On behalf of the Marines, sailors, and families of III MEF, I thank you for your support."

On Aug. 5, a V-22 Osprey was involved in a mishap off the east coast of Australia. Twenty-three of 26 personnel aboard the tilt-rotor aircraft have been rescued.