Heroism Amid Tragedy: Marines Survive Osprey Crash During Routine Drill
In a harrowing flight that turned fatal, the Marines aboard two Ospreys were only a short distance from their target when disaster struck. The mission on August 27, 2023, was a standard training exercise on Melville Island, north of Australia, designed to conclude the Marines’ rotation in the Pacific.
Assigned to secure two airfields, Lima Company, led by Capt. Joshua Watson, was on a critical mission. As the executive officer, Watson was aboard one of the Ospreys, call sign Dumptruck-12, following the lead aircraft. The crew appeared composed as the aircraft neared descent, unaware of the impending calamity.
Without warning, the Ospreys nearly collided, forcing a dramatic maneuver that led to a downward spiral. “I didn’t have any thought or indication that something was going wrong until I heard ‘brace for impact,'” Watson recounted in an interview with Military.com. The warning signaled the inevitability of a crash.
The tragic outcome resulted in the loss of both pilots, Capt. Eleanor LeBeau and Maj. Tobin Lewis, who managed to crash-land the Osprey, enabling 20 passengers to survive. “They didn’t give up,” Watson said, crediting them with saving his life and that of his fellow Marines.
Cpl. Spencer Collart, the crew chief, survived the crash but perished while attempting to rescue the pilots. He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his valor, the highest noncombat award for heroism.
Watson also received the same award for his actions following the crash, honored during a ceremony on February 28. His leadership was pivotal as he navigated the chaos after the crash.
As the Osprey descended, Lewis fought to control the aircraft, attempting to stabilize it as a stall warning echoed in the cabin. “And after I heard ‘brace for impact,'” Watson said, “it was about three to five seconds later and we were on the ground.”
The Osprey hit the ground and skidded 200 feet, its tail severed by trees, leaving a trail of destruction. Watson’s immediate reaction was survival, quickly overshadowed by the chaos surrounding him. The cabin was engulfed in smoke and flames, with Marines in shock and some unconscious.
Watson’s training took over as he guided the Marines to safety, despite his broken ankle. “Leave everything and get out the back,” he advised, ensuring no one was left behind.
While moving away from the crash site, Watson coordinated with rescue helicopters, directing Marines to transport the injured to their planned airfield. He was the last to be evacuated, exemplifying his commitment to his team.
Reflecting on his experience, Watson emphasized the importance of preparation and training, which he credited for their survival. His journey has now brought him full circle, training as a flight student at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida.
“You fall to your level of training, you don’t rise to the occasion,” Watson stated, highlighting the critical role of preparation in crisis situations.
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