MV-22 Osprey aircraft Gold Coast Pacific Airshow return ‘in honour of fallen brothers and sister’
A US Marine flying one of the Gold Coast Pacific Airshow’s main attractions says it will be in memory of two fellow marines killed in an Osprey crash days after last year’s event. Read his tribute
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A US Marine flying one of the Gold Coast Pacific Airshow’s main attractions says it will be in memory of two fellow marines killed in an Osprey crash days after last year’s event.
The tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey aircraft - one of the 2023 airshow’s most popular aircraft - will return piloted by US Marine and Captain Todd Maddocks.
Two US Marines Captain Eleanor LeBeau and Major Tobin Lewis - who flew it over Surfers Paradise in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators at last year’s show - were killed days later in a horror Northern Territory training exercise crash.
The fatal Osprey crashed during a training exercise 80km north of Darwin, also claiming the life of US Marine Corps Corporal Spencer Collart.
Captain Maddocks spoke about the emotion associated with flying the Osprey at this year’s show: “We fly in honour of our fallen brothers and sister from VMM-363 who are forever in our memories.
“We always enjoy engaging with the Australian public in such a great event and showcasing the capabilities of this amazing aircraft.”
Captain Maddocks said it was important for him and his team to honour the memory of their fallen comrades.
“We believe every day we fly and every mission we support honours the memory of our fallen comrades.
“We share a common desire to serve and will never forget the crew who paid the ultimate price while training and preparing for future missions,” he said.
Gold Coast Pacific Airshow director Kevin Elliott said they were honoured to have the Osprey back - and this year three would be on deck with two of them flying.
“We’re honoured and it’s very significant to have any US military participation, particularly the Marines. They’re going to put on a great display for everybody.
“Last year was, to our knowledge, the very first time an MV-22 Osprey ever displayed at an air show in Australia so very significant last year, and nonetheless significant this year.”
The Osprey can reach 280 knots, it’s primary mission being assault support.
Captain Maddocks added: “It is a versatile aircraft, combining the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aeroplane.
“It is the ideal aircraft for rapid troop transport and logistic support, its tiltrotor design allows it to operate from confined spaces and varied environments.”
On Tuesday, the Pacific Airshow aerobatic aircraft pilots took thrill-seeking in the opposite direction - they went underwater.
Usually chasing the adrenaline rush above the waves in the skies, the aerobatic aircraft pilots dived with sharks and manta rays at Sea World theme park as they did their rounds of famous Gold Coast attractions in the week leading up to the event.
On Monday, Emma McDonald, Jeff Boerboon, Aarron Deliu and Airshow director Kevin Elliott climbed Skypoint at the Q1.
On Tuesday, along with Captain Todd Maddocks, Greg Colyer and others, they dived in the shark tank at Sea World to experience Aussie sealife at its finest.
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