Police have recovered the bodies of three American aerial firefighters, as their extensive military service is honoured back in the United States.

Key points: Investigators have gathered evidence, including the plane's black box, from the crash site in Numaralla

Investigators have gathered evidence, including the plane's black box, from the crash site in Numaralla It is believed their air tanker crashed shortly after releasing retardant over a blaze in Snowy Monaro on Thursday

It is believed their air tanker crashed shortly after releasing retardant over a blaze in Snowy Monaro on Thursday The body of another man was found inside a razed home on the South Coast on Friday

Captain Ian McBeth, first officer Paul Hudson and flight engineer Rick DeMorgan Jr were on a firebombing operation on Thursday when their C-130 Large Air Tanker hit the ground.

It is believed the air tanker crashed shortly after releasing retardant over a blaze in Snowy Monaro.

Police have recovered their bodies and the Federal Government has promised to repatriate them back to the United States as soon as possible.

Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have gathered evidence, including the plane's black box, from the crash site in Peak View.

All three of the crew came from strong military backgrounds and in the US, flags were being lowered in their honour.

Captain Ian McBeth, first officer Paul Hudson and flight engineer Rick DeMorgan Jr died in the crash. ( Supplied: Coulson Aviation )

Mr McBeth grew up in a small rural community on Colorado's plains and worked as a ranch head in neighbouring Nebraska at 14 and was a standout athlete in football, wrestling and track.

He served in the Wyoming Air National Guard while a student at the University of Wyoming and later joined the Air National Guard in Montana, where flags were ordered lowered in his honour on Saturday.

Initially stymied in his dream of becoming a pilot, Mr McBeth first served as a jack of all trades, building landing strips for C-130 Hercules and later as a navigator, including in Iraq.

At 28, a year before he would lose eligibility to become a pilot, he applied again and was accepted.

His father, Bill, told the Associated Press his son was "determined, tenacious and tough" and was the most "capable and competent person" he knew.

Mr Hudson, from Arizona, spent 20 yeas serving in the US Marine Corps, including as a C-130 pilot, before retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

He went on to earn a masters degree in business administration and information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School.

The C-130 which crashed while fighting a bushfire in southern NSW. ( AAP Image: Dan Himbrechts )

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey noted Mr Hudson's lengthy military service when he ordered flags on all public buildings in the state be lowered on Saturday.

"Then, when duty called again, First Officer Hudson didn't hesitate, putting his life on the line to help others battling wildfires in Australia," Governor Ducey said.

The third crew member, Mr DeMorgan, served in the US Air Force for 24 years and had over 4,000 hours' experience as a flight engineer, with nearly half of those in combat situations.

His sister, Virginia, said his passions were his two children and flying.

"He loved flying from the time he was a kid," she said.

Death toll rises

Meanwhile, a body believed to be that of a 59-year-old man has also been found inside a razed home on the South Coast.

Police were called to the destroyed home in Bodalla after concerns were raised for the occupant.

Police said officers found the remains on Friday morning in the burnt-out house on Bumbo Road, Bodalla, south-west of Moruya.

Fire crews work at Moruya on the Far South Coast on Thursday. ( Facebook: Fire and rescue NSW Station 477 Ulladulla )

Authorities are yet to formally identify the man.

Detectives, police rescue and specialist forensic officers are currently on the scene with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), and a crime scene has been established.

An unconfirmed number of properties were wiped out by intense bushfire on the South Coast yesterday.

A truck rollover near Mogo at about 11:00pm on Thursday left six RFS firefighters with non-life threatening injuries.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the volunteers were going above and beyond.

ABC/Associated Press