an hour agoMystery: Within half an hour, a helicopter and an American Navy fighter plane crashed into the South China Sea
Periskopi(8 months ago)
(8 months ago)An American Navy helicopter and a fighter plane crashed on Sunday, within the same half hour, during separate routine operations on the South China Sea, writes CNN, records Periscope. The Pacific fleet announced that all crew members were safely rescued. Marina has launched an investigation into [...]
An American Navy helicopter and a fighter plane crashed on Sunday, within the same half hour, during separate routine operations on the South China Sea, writes CNNFollow Periscope.
The Pacific fleet announced that all crew members were safely rescued.
Marina has launched an investigation to whitewash the causes of two incidents, which took place on the strategic waters of the region, an area considered one of the hottest points possible for global conflict.
According to official announcement, a helicopter MH-60R Seahawk crashed around 14:45 local time, “during routine operations by the USS Nimitz carrier”. The search-saving teams managed to extract all three crew members without injuries.
About 30 minutes later, another fighter plane F/A-18F Super Hornes crashed, but during a routine flight from the same ship. The two pilots were injured and safely rescued. Marina added it is at least fourth fighter plane F/A-18, worth about $60 million each, which is lost this year.
The South China Sea is an area of vital importance for international trade, but remains one of the most controversial regions in the world. China claims ownership over almost all strategic waterways, despite an international court ruling opposing that claim.
Over the past two decades, Beijing has strengthened its territorial claims by building military bases on opposing islands and reefs. The US opposes the move, arguing it undermines freedom of navigation and free trade on international sea routes.
American forces maintain a stable presence in the region to challenge Chinese claims of sovereignty and support Washington's allies in Asia.
The incident occurred at the same time with President Donald Trump's diplomatic tour of Asia, where he is expected to meet this week with Chinese leader Xi Yinging for talks that will focus mainly on trade. Relations between the two countries were strained in recent weeks, although US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that a trade framework agreement has been reached before the Trump MERCX meeting.
The U.S. Navy lost two F/A-18s this year on the Red Sea. One crashed into the sea after taking off an aircraft carrier, while the other suffered a defect in the landing system. Another plane of this guy crashed in August near Virginia during a training flight.
U n SS Nimitz, one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world and oldest in active service in the American Navy, is expected to be out of use next year.
