Two US Navy aircraft go down 30 minutes apart during routine opps off USS Nimitz
A US Navy fighter jet and helicopter have gone down in the China South Sea during separate incidents while conducting routine operations off aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
According to US Pacific Fleet, a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter was first to go down on October 26, 2025, at 14:45, local time.
The US Navy added that just 30 minutes later at 15:15 an F/A-18F Super Hornet also ran into trouble and went down in the area.
Referring to the first incident, the US Navy said that “search and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11 safely recovered all three crew members”.
The MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter was assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73.
US NavyThe two-person crew of the F/A-18F Super Hornet were also safely recovered by search and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11 after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.
The F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter was assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22.
“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation,” said a spokesperson for the US Navy.
South China Sea – On October 26, 2025 at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 went down in the waters of the South China Sea while conducting routine operations— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) October 26, 2025 Commenting on the two incidents US President Donald Trump described the episode as “very unusual”.
Responding to a reporter’s question while travelling on Air Force One, President Trump said: “They think it might be bad fuel. We’re gonna find out.”
President Trump is currently visiting Asia where he will meet with multiple world leaders including President Xi Jinping of China.
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The post Two US Navy aircraft go down 30 minutes apart during routine opps off USS Nimitz appeared first on AeroTime.
A US Navy fighter jet and helicopter have gone down in the China South Sea during separate incidents…
The post Two US Navy aircraft go down 30 minutes apart during routine opps off USS Nimitz appeared first on AeroTime.
