US President Donald Trump has been briefed at his New Jersey golf club on the search for three missing US Marines off the Queensland coast after their military heli-plane crashed into the sea.

The MV-22 Osprey, carrying 26 personnel, was involved in what was described as a "mishap" on Saturday afternoon during a military exercise with Australian forces at Shoalwater Bay.

An MV-22 Osprey, carrying 26 personnel, was involved in what was described as a "mishap" on Saturday afternoon off Queensland. Credit:John Feder

The Osprey had launched from the USS Bonhomme Richard amphibious assault ship and was conducting regularly scheduled operations when the aircraft entered the water.

The US Marines Corps said 23 personnel aboard were rescued and the search and rescue mission continues off the coast of Shoalwater Bay for the missing three.