‘Conducting routine ops’: US Navy helicopter, fighter jet go down in South China Sea; key details

A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed separately during routine operations over the South China Sea on Sunday, with no fatalities reported. The incidents coincided with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region for the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.According to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, the first crash involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter that “went down in the waters of South China Sea while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.” All three crew members aboard were rescued by search and rescue teams, the statement said.

Roughly 30 minutes later, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also crashed into the South China Sea “while conducting routine operations” from the same carrier.

Both crew members successfully ejected and were safely recovered, the US navy confirmed.The US navy said on social media Sunday evening that the MH-60R Seahawk, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, went down around 2:45pm local time. “Search-and-rescue crews rescued three crew members,” the statement said.At 3:15pm, an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also went down while conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz.

“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition,” the US navy said. “The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation.”The crashes took place as US President Trump embarked on a diplomatic tour across Asia, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping for discussions centered on trade. Relations between Washington and Beijing have been tense in recent weeks after both sides imposed new economic measures on each other.These incidents follow the loss of two Super Hornet jets in the Red Sea earlier this spring. Each F/A-18 fighter jet costs over $60 million, according to the Navy. CNN reported that the USS Nimitz -- among the world’s largest warships -- is the oldest US aircraft carrier in service and is set for retirement next year.Earlier this year, two US warplanes also fell off the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier while operating in the Middle East.