US Navy sailor missing at sea for two days, feared dead
Australian assets are being contributed to the search and rescue operation led by the US, which has yet to yield any results. The sailor was reported missing from the nuclear-powered USS George Washington aircraft carrier which is still sailing in the Timor Sea, northwest of Darwin.
It remains in the area while more than 40,000 military personnel from 19 countries take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre. This biennial event is Australia's largest military training exercise and has been underway since July 17.
It was due to wrap up by August 4 but rescue operations have hampered this as emergency teams continue searching for the lost sailor. Australia's Border Force and Defence Force have supplied a boat and an aircraft to assist the US Navy to find the soldier.
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