Credited from: BUSINESSINSIDER
On Sunday, two U.S. Navy aircraft, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, crashed separately in the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The helicopter went down around 2:45 p.m. local time, with all three crew members successfully rescued, followed by the jet approximately 30 minutes later, whose two crew members also ejected and were retrieved safely, according to CBS News, ABC News, and The Hill.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed that all personnel involved were in stable condition and that the causes of both incidents are under investigation. The crashes occurred amid President Trump's visit to Asia, which included attendance at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, bringing diplomatic focus to the region, as noted by India Times and Reuters.
Following the incidents, China expressed its willingness to offer humanitarian assistance to the U.S. Navy and criticized the frequent military operations by the U.S. in the South China Sea, claiming they exacerbate regional tensions. As articulated by The Jakarta Post and Anadolu Agency, the South China Sea remains a focal point of geopolitical friction.
Moreover, the Navy stated that these crashes are part of ongoing challenges faced by its aircraft, reflective of a broader context of military readiness and operational safety, as indicated by Business Insider and South China Morning Post.