Two US Navy aircrafts were involved in separate incidents today during routine operations, as confirmed by officials. The US Navy’s Pacific fleet reported that both aircrafts went down on Sunday, October 26, with the first incident occurring at 2:45 pm followed by the second just 30 minutes later at 3:15 pm.
According to the US Navy, a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 crashed in the South China Sea while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) at around 2:45 p.m. local time. All three crew members were safely recovered by search and rescue assets from Carrier Strike Group 11. Shortly after, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also went down in the same location during routine operations from the Nimitz. Both crew members ejected safely and were recovered by search and rescue assets from Carrier Strike Group 11.
All personnel involved in the incidents are reported to be safe and in stable condition. The cause of the crashes is currently under investigation.