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Defence News Release: http://www.adfa.oz.au/DOD/minister/min4896.htm

MIN 48/96 Thursday, June 13, 1996

Ministers Express Condolences on Defence Helicopter Tragedy

The Minister for Defence, Mr lan McLachlan, and the Minister for Defence
Science and Personnel, Mrs Bronwyn Bishop today expressed their deepest
condolences to the families who lost their husbands and loved ones in the
Blackhawk helicopter crash near Townsville last night.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General John Baker, and the Chief of the
General Staff, Lieutenant General John Sanderson, also expressed their
deepest sympathy.

"It is a tragedy for the Australian Defence Force and our hearts go out to
the families of the servicemen involved in their time of grief. They were
all fine young Australians dedicated not only to the Australian Defence
Force, but to serving their country," Minister McLachlan said.

"The young men who serve in the Special Air Services Regiment, and in the
5th Aviation Regiment willingly put their lives at risk to protect
Australians here and overseas, and the loss of these men highlights the
dangerous situations our servicemen endure in the course of their normal
duty."

Minister McLachlan said that an accident investigation team has been
dispatched to the site and is expected to provide an initial report within
the next 48 hours. In addition, a formal Defence Board of Inquiry would be
automatically convened by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant
General John Sanderson, within the next few days.

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Issued by the Directorate of Public Relations, Department of Defence,
Canberra ACT, 2600, Australia
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See also:

* Other Media Statements and Speeches: http://www.adfa.oz.au/DOD/minister/
* AUSTRALIAN ARMY AVIATION CORPS:
http://www.adfa.oz.au/DOD/SSA/corps/aaavn.htm
* Defence Home Page: http://www.adfa.oz.au/DOD/dodhmpgn.html


Posted by: Tom Worthington <Tom_Worthington@dmd.a-l.defence.gov.au>
Deputy Director Information Management Plans
& Defence Web Administrator
Information Management Branch
Department of Defence <URL: http://www.adfa.oz.au/DOD/dodhmpgn.html>
Room NBH-6-06, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia