USS Nimitz Incident: U.S. Navy F-18 Jet and Sea Hawk Helicopter Crash in South China Sea, Crew Safe

U.S. Navy Confirms USS Nimitz Incident in South China Sea

In a statement that drew global attention, the U.S. Navy confirmed that a USS Nimitz incident occurred earlier today involving both an F/A-18 fighter jet and a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter. According to Reuters, both aircraft went down separately into the water while conducting flight operations from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in the South China Sea.

Officials reported that all personnel were safely recovered, and no fatalities or serious injuries occurred. The USS Nimitz Strike Group remains fully operational, and recovery efforts are underway.

F-18 and Sea Hawk Go Down Separately

The Navy stated that the F-18 Super Hornet and the Sea Hawk helicopter were operating independently when both experienced separate mishaps. While the exact causes remain under investigation, preliminary reports indicate no hostile engagement was involved.

Naval aviation safety teams have been deployed to assess the wreckage and operational conditions at the time of the accidents.

USS Nimitz Operating in Strategic Waters

The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is one of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carriers, currently deployed in the South China Sea, a region known for high military and geopolitical tension. The area sees frequent operations involving U.S. and allied naval forces to ensure freedom of navigation in international waters.

This USS Nimitz incident comes amid increased attention on U.S. naval activities in the Indo-Pacific region.

All Crew Safe, Investigation Underway

A U.S. Navy spokesperson confirmed that search and recovery operations were completed successfully, and all flight personnel from both aircraft have been accounted for. The Navy’s safety investigation board will conduct a full review to determine the causes and recommend preventive measures for future operations.