The US Navy (USN) is investigating the loss of two aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea.
The crashes occurred during the afternoon of 26 October, and all crew members involved are safe, according to the USN.
The first aircraft loss occurred at 14:45 local time and involved a Lockheed Martin MH-60R of Helicopter Maritime Strike Sqn HSM-73.
The helicopter “went down in the waters of the South China Sea”, says the USN. All three crew were rescued.
Just 30min later, at 15:15 local time, an F/A-18F of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-22 was also lost. The crew ejected safely and were recovered. Again, the USN says the aircraft “went down in the waters of the South China Sea”.
Both aircraft, says the USN, were conducting “routine operations”. It did not offer details about weather conditions at the time of the incidents, or of the specfiic locations where they occured.
“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation,” the service says.
The nuclear-powered Nimitz, which was commissioned in 1975, is on its final cruise with Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked.
The air wing comprises four F/A-18E/F squadrons, as well as a squadron each of EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft, MH-60S helicopters, and MH-60Rs.
