A search and rescue effort is ongoing in the Timor Sea to find a U.S sailor said to have gone overboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington on Monday.

The Australian Defense Force and Australian Border Force are helping in the search.

The name, rank or the circumstances in which the incident occurred have not been revealed.

The Royal Australian Air Force P8-A Poseidon aircraft and the Royal Australian Navy Cape Class Patrol Boat ADV Cape Otway have reached the site to assist in the operation.

The USS George Washington returned to sea in 2024 after undergoing a major overhaul and upgrade.

It is forward-deployed in Japan, and the aircraft carrier and its strike group were operating in the Timor Sea as part of the Talisman Sabre 2025 exercises.

It is a biennial, multinational military exercise led by Australia and the U.S. This year, it involves over 43,000 military personnel from 19 countries, including India, Indonesia, the U.K, France, while Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam are observers.

The Timor Sea is a shallow sea of the Indian Ocean, situated between Australia and Timor Island.

Source: www.marineinsight.com