US Military: F-18 Jet and Seahawk helicopter from USS Nimitz crash in south China sea
The US Pacific Fleet announced that an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, both operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), were involved in separate crashes during routine operations over the South China Sea on Sunday afternoon.
In a statement released by the Pacific Fleet Command, officials said that at approximately 2:45 pm local time, the Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Maritime Strike Helicopter Squadron 73 (known as the Battle Cats), went down while conducting flight operations.
“Search and rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11 were immediately deployed and successfully rescued all three crew members,” the statement confirmed.
The rescued personnel were reported to be in stable condition and are receiving medical evaluations aboard the USS Nimitz.
Less than an hour later, at around 3:15 pm, a two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (the Fighting Redcocks) also crashed into the sea while performing a training flight from the same carrier.
According to the US Navy, both pilots ejected safely and were swiftly retrieved by search and rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11.
No fatalities or serious injuries were reported in either incident, as the Navy said investigations are underway to determine the causes of both crashes, which occurred in international waters of the South China Sea, a region long marked by heightened military and territorial tensions involving several nations, including China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The USS Nimitz, one of the US Navy’s oldest and most capable aircraft carriers, has been operating in the Indo-Pacific as part of the United States’ ongoing presence and freedom-of-navigation operations in the region.
The dual incidents come amid increased US naval activity as Washington seeks to reinforce its alliances and maintain stability in the face of growing Chinese maritime assertiveness.
Officials emphasized that both accidents appear to be unrelated and that flight operations aboard the USS Nimitz have since resumed under heightened safety protocols.
The US Pacific Fleet said further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
