Soldier's body recovered from bottom of Pacific Ocean

CANBERRA - A defence salvage ship has recovered the remains of Australian soldier Joshua Porter from a helicopter wreckage at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean off Fiji.

Trooper Porter, a member of the Special Air Service Regiment, disappeared on November 29 when the Black Hawk helicopter on which he was a passenger plunged into the ocean as it attempted to land aboard HMAS Kanimbla.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the defence maritime services vessel MV Seahorse Standard arrived at the site on Friday evening.

"A survey was then conducted using United States Navy Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV) equipment which identified the location of the aircraft and the remains of Trooper Joshua Porter," he said in a statement.

"Trooper Porter's remains were recovered this morning by specialist equipment provided by the SUPSALV team."

- AAP