News of the military aircraft crash off the coast of the Northern Territory came through mid-yesterday, and by early evening the death toll was revealed. Three US Marines were killed when their tilt-rotor MV-22B Osprey came down on Melville Island, north of Darwin. In total, 23 US military personnel were onboard the aircraft, and 5 are in serious condition at Royal Darwin Hospital. They were participating in Exercise Predators Run as part of a 500-strong American contingency along with troops from Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. A Defence Force spokesperson said no Australian personnel were involved. American officials said recovery efforts are ongoing, and an investigation is underway. It’s been a month since 4 Aussie personnel were killed in a Taipan helicopter crash off the Whitsundays in Queensland. They were taking part in the huge Talisman Sabre exercises.