An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, both launched from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, crashed into the South China Sea on the same day. All five crew members were rescued safely in both incidents.
Officials from the U.S. Pacific Fleet announced on Sunday that two military aircraft had crashed in the South China Sea within a short interval, with no casualties reported in the incidents.
According to a statement released by the Navy, the first crash occurred when an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, which had taken off from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier for “routine operations,” went down into the sea. All three crew members on board were safely recovered and returned to the ship by search and rescue teams.
About 30 minutes later, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet that had taken off from the same carrier also crashed into the waters of the South China Sea. It was reported that both pilots ejected safely and were in good condition.
In its statement, the U.S. Navy said, “All personnel involved in the incidents are safe and in stable condition. The causes of both crashes are under investigation.”
The accidents occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump was on his first Asian tour of his second term and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was preparing for an extensive visit to the region.
Earlier in the same year, two fighter jets from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier had crashed during a Middle East mission, bringing renewed attention to discussions about the Navy’s operational safety.
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