An active search is underway to locate four missing air crew members after an Australian army MRH-90 Taipan helicopter made an emergency landing in waters off the Queensland state coast during joint military exercises with the United States.
The incident occurred near Hamilton Island and has raised concerns about the risks involved in vital defense exercises.
As the search for the missing crew intensifies, hope remains for better news, underscoring the seriousness of the situation faced by those in uniform.
In an earlier occurrence in March, another Taipan had to make an emergency landing into the sea off the New South Wales state coast during a night-time counterterrorism training exercise.
To assess the situation firsthand, Mr. Austin will travel with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles to north Queensland after the meeting.