Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that the remains of the final two missing Australian Defence Force personnel from the Vietnam War have been located. “An Air Force investigation team which recently deployed to Vietnam have found human remains at the site where the wreckage of a Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber was located in April this year,” Mr Combet said.

“The aircraft, which went missing on 3 November 1970, was flown by Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver. The wreckage was located in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.”

Mr Combet said the recovery team discovered human remains in the vicinity of the crash site. The remains were transported to Hanoi, where Vietnamese and Australian forensic specialists identified them as those of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver.

“Relatives of the two crew members have been advised of the discovery and Air Force will continue to keep them updated. These airmen gave their lives in the service of their nation. I hope finding the remains of the airmen will bring some comfort to the families. This is an excellent result for the investigation team and the cooperation of the Vietnamese authorities has been exceptional and highly valued by the team and the Government of Australia. Invaluable assistance has been given by a number of former North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers and their commanders as well as many local villagers. Their compassion and commitment to assisting this vital mission is greatly appreciated,” Mr Combet said.

Mr Combet praised the work of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation in using innovative modelling techniques in order to refine the area of interest, plus the exhaustive and skilled research and expertise of the Army History Unit in supporting the investigation. He also acknowledged the efforts and commitment to the recovery of Australian war dead shown by Jim Bourke and Operation Aussies Home. A timetable for the return of these remains to Australia has yet to be agreed between the Australian and Vietnamese Governments. Details of the burial of the airmen are a private matter for the families.

Background on Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver

Flying Officer Michael Herbert was 24 years old when the Canberra bomber was lost. He was the pilot of “Magpie 91” and was a veteran of 198 operational sorties over Vietnam. FLGOFF Herbert joined No. 2 Squadron in February 1970. He was from Glenelg, South Australia.

Pilot Officer Robert Carver was also 24 years old. He was the navigator on “Magpie 91” and had conducted 33 sorties in Vietnam. PLTOFF Carver joined No. 2 Squadron in September 1970. He was from Toowoomba, Queensland.