URGENT UPDATE: Two military aircraft associated with the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within a mere 30 minutes of each other on Sunday afternoon, the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet reports. This alarming incident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, prompting immediate rescue operations.
All five crew members, including three from the helicopter and two aviators from the fighter jet, were successfully recovered and are reported to be “safe and in stable condition,” according to an official statement. The causes of these crashes are currently under investigation, raising significant concerns within military circles.
President Donald Trump, while en route to Tokyo on Monday, suggested that the crashes might be linked to “bad fuel,” dismissing any notions of foul play and asserting that there was “nothing to hide.” This statement comes as the USS Nimitz, recently deployed to the Middle East, is on its final return to its home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington State after a summer deployment responding to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial shipping.
The USS Nimitz is not the only aircraft carrier facing challenges; the USS Harry S. Truman has experienced multiple mishaps during its recent Middle East deployment. Notable incidents include an F/A-18 being mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg in December and another fighter jet slipping off the Truman’s hangar deck in April.
As investigations into these incidents continue, the Navy emphasizes the importance of safety and operational readiness. With the USS Nimitz set to decommission soon, this incident adds another layer of scrutiny to its final operations.
What happens next remains critical. Observers are urged to monitor updates from the Navy as investigations unfold. The safety of military personnel and the integrity of operations in this strategically significant region are of utmost importance, making this story one to watch closely.
Stay tuned for further developments as the situation evolves.