On Sunday afternoon, excitement turned to concern in the South China Sea as a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet went down during routine missions. 😲🚁✈️
The MH-60R, from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73—the "Battle Cats"—entered the water around 2:45 p.m. local time. Moments later, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22's Super Hornet also went down while operating from the USS Nimitz.
Rescue teams sprang into action, pulling three crew members to safety. Thankfully, all survivors are in stable condition. The U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet has launched investigations to determine the cause of both incidents.
Why it matters: The South China Sea is a key strategic route, with global navies and commercial vessels sharing its trade lanes. Incidents like this highlight the risks of military operations in busy waters. 🌊🧐
What's next: Stay tuned for updates on investigations and crew reports. For travelers and explorers, this serves as a reminder to keep an eye on maritime advisories when sailing these seas.
Reference(s):
U.S. Navy helicopter and fighter jet 'go down' in South China Sea
cgtn.com
