Aussie Minehunter Finds Lost U.S. Bombs

August 19, 2013 4:40 AM - Updated: August 18, 2013 10:47 PM
The Huon class minehunter HMAS Gascoyne, anchored in Sydney Harbour following a ceremonial fleet entry
The Huon class minehunter HMAS Gascoyne, anchored in Sydney Harbour following a ceremonial fleet entry

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has found four pieces of ordnance dropped by two U.S. AV-8B Harrier, according to a Friday statement from the Australian Defense Ministry.

HMAS Gascoyne (M-85), a Huon class RAN minehunter, found the bombs at a depth of about 60 to 70 meters in the Great Barrier Reef marine park, according to a statement from Australia’s Joint Operation Chief Lt. Gen. Ash Power.

In July, two Marine AV-8B Harriers flying in support of the recent Talisman Saber 2013 exercise dropped two BDU-45 practice bombs and two unarmed GBU-12 Paveway IIs near Queensland.

The Australian navy will now assist the U.S. Navy amphibious warship USS Germantown in retrieving the munitions.

Germantown is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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