U.S. Navy Aircraft Crash in South China Sea
A U.S.Navy helicopter and fighter jet assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz crashed in the South China Sea on Sunday in separate incidents occurring less than an hour apart, officials reported. All personnel involved were rescued and are in stable condition.
The incidents raise questions about operational safety in the contested waters of the South China Sea, a region of strategic importance and frequent military activity. the Navy has initiated investigations into the causes of both crashes.
At approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (“Battle Cats”) went down during routine operations. The three crew members were rescued by assets from the Nimitz’s strike group.
Roughly 30 minutes later, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet from strike Fighter Squadron 22 (“Fighting Redcocks”) also crashed while conducting routine operations. Both crew members successfully ejected and were subsequently rescued, according to U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The causes of both incidents are currently under investigation.
