Sydney CNN —Four Australian defense personnel are missing in the water off the east coast of Australia after they were forced to ditch their Taipan helicopter in the sea during joint wargame drills with the United States late Friday. Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane on Saturday, Defense Minister Richard Marles said the search was ongoing for the four crew of the Australian Army helicopter. Last night, just after 10.30, an Australian Army helicopter, an MRH-90, ditched in waters close to Hamilton Island. Because there was another helicopter present, a search and rescue was able to commence immediately. A search operation involving both search and rescue aircraft and sea vessels is under way, according to the Australian Defense Ministry.

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Persons: Richard Marles, ” Marles, Anthony Albanese, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Blinken, they’ve, ”, Austin, it’s “, Damien Hill, Marles Organizations: Sydney CNN —, Australian Army, Australian Defense Ministry, Defense, Brisbane, Airbus Locations: Australia, United States, Brisbane, Hamilton, Queensland