A U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet both went down in separate incidents Sunday while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea. The crashes occurred within 30 minutes of each other, and all five service members involved were rescued and are in stable condition.
According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Seahawk crashed around 2:54 p.m. local time during routine operations. Approximately half an hour later, the Super Hornet also went down during flight operations in the same general area. Both incidents prompted immediate search-and-rescue efforts from Carrier Strike Group 11, resulting in the successful recovery of all crew members. The Navy stated there is no indication of hostile activity and investigations are ongoing.
The Nimitz is currently returning to its home port in Kitsap, Washington, after a Middle East deployment. These back-to-back incidents highlight the risks associated with carrier-based aviation, even in the absence of enemy action. They also raise questions about operational tempo, aircraft maintenance, and safety procedures aboard U.S. carriers operating in contested regions.
The South China Sea remains a strategic flashpoint, and any incident involving U.S. military assets draws international attention. Although no adversarial involvement is suspected, the timing and location of the mishaps underscore the complexities of maintaining readiness and safety in a critical region.
