US Marine victims of Melville Island crash depart Darwin on aircraft bound for United States

A ceremony to honour the three US Marines killed in a training exercise north of Darwin has taken place as their bodies were transferred onto their final flight home.

The bodies of three US Marines killed in a crash on the Tiwi Islands have departed Darwin on their final flight home to loved ones in the United States.

Captain Eleanor V LeBeau, Corporal Spencer R Collart and Major Tobin J Lewis were killed when a MV-22B Osprey crashed during a military training exercise on Melville Island on August 27.

Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, Corporal Spencer Collart, 21, and Major Tobin Lewis, 37, are being repatriated to the US after being killed during a training exercise on August 27.

Their bodies, which were flown to Darwin on Tuesday evening, are now being repatriated on a US aircraft which departed the Darwin RAAF base at 5.40pm on Monday.

The Marine Rotational Force Darwin held a private ramping ceremony to honour the fallen heroes as their bodies were transferred onto the aircraft.

The repatriation flight departed Darwin RAAF base at 5.40pm on Monday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Our focus remains on our fallen Marines, their families, and loved ones,” commanding officer Colonel Brendan Sullivan said.

“The dignified transfer honours their service and facilitates the continuance of the grieving process.

“The overwhelming love and support shown by our Allies in the Australian Defence Force and Northern Territory community is truly heartwarming and a testament to the strong bonds created with our Marines and sailors.”

Hundreds of military personnel attended the ceremony, along with acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison and NT Administrator Hugh Heggie.

The Osprey was carrying 23 US Marines when it crashed, one of whom remains in critical condition at The Alfred Centre hospital in Melbourne.

Seven others were admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital in the wake of the tragedy.