Why it matters:
The twin crashes highlight the operational risks faced by U.S. naval forces amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most contested maritime zones where U.S. and Chinese military assets often operate in proximity.
The big picture:
The USS Nimitz, America’s oldest active aircraft carrier, has been deployed since March and recently operated in West Asia. The carrier is set to be decommissioned in 2026.
What they’re saying:
The U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement that all five crew members, three from the helicopter and two from the fighter jet, “are safe and in stable condition.” The statement added that “the cause of both incidents is currently under investigation.”
Key points:
- The MH-60R Seahawk crashed around 2:45 p.m., followed by the F/A-18F Super Hornet at 3:15 p.m. local time.
- Both incidents occurred during routine flight operations in the South China Sea.
- USS Nimitz was conducting regional presence operations when the crashes happened.
- The Navy did not report any hostile activity linked to the incidents.
Go deeper:
Another US F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in Alaska
M.Majdi - Hossein Vaez
