Hawaii [US], October 27 (ANI): A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed in the South China Sea, sparking security concerns, the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet confirmed on Monday.
“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation,” the Navy said in a statement.
According to the Pacific Fleet, the incidents occurred on Sunday while the aircraft were conducting separate routine operations over the disputed waters.
The US military aircraft — an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter — crashed in two separate incidents, the Navy confirmed.
At approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, a US Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, went down in the waters of the South China Sea during routine operations. Search and rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11 safely recovered all three crew members.
Separately, at around 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also went down while conducting operations from the Nimitz. Both crew members successfully ejected and were safely recovered by search and rescue units.
Parts of the South China Sea are claimed by multiple countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Beijing asserts ownership over most of the strategic waterway, often defying international court rulings. Over the past two decades, China has strengthened its territorial claims by constructing military installations across the sea, directly challenging US efforts to maintain freedom of navigation through international waters.
CNN reported that US Navy operations in the region are part of Washington’s broader strategy to counter Beijing’s maritime expansion.
The aircraft crashes occurred amid President Donald Trump’s diplomacy tour in Asia, during which he is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea for talks primarily focused on trade. Relations between the two nations had recently soured after both sides imposed sweeping measures on each other following months of relative calm.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that the US has reached a framework trade agreement with China, easing tensions ahead of the anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi.
The Navy previously lost two Super Hornet jets in the Red Sea earlier this year. According to CNN, a single F/A-18 fighter jet costs more than $60 million. The USS Nimitz, one of the largest warships in the world, is the oldest US aircraft carrier in service and is scheduled for retirement next year. (ANI)
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