US Carrier Loses Two Planes in 30 Minutes Over Waters Claimed by China

Two U.S. Navy Planes Crash in South China Sea

On Sunday, two U.S. Navy aircraft went down in the South China Sea, leaving five crew members in the water under the jurisdiction claimed by the Chinese Communist Party.

The first incident involved a Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from the 73rd Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron, which crashed around 2:45 p.m. local time while departing from the USS Nimitz. A rescue team from Carrier Strike Group 11 managed to retrieve all three crew members.

Then, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Fighting Redcocks of the 22nd Strike Fighter Squadron also crashed during a routine mission. Fortunately, both pilots ejected safely and were rescued by the same Carrier Strike Group.

The Pacific Fleet confirmed that all five crew members are safe and in stable condition. An investigation has been initiated regarding both crashes.

Meanwhile, President Trump, on a flight from Malaysia to Japan, described the incident as “very unusual,” mentioning potential causes like bad fuel. He expressed confidence that they would uncover the cause, emphasizing that they had “nothing to hide.”

Notably, the Super Hornet, valued at $60 million, marks the fourth F/A-18 loss for the Navy within the year. The USS Nimitz had been returning to Washington after a lengthy deployment addressing Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Middle East.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended an offer for assistance with rescue and recovery operations if needed. A spokesperson criticized U.S. military activities in the region, arguing that they escalate maritime risks and threaten regional stability.