A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed individually throughout routine operations over the South China Sea on Sunday, with no fatalities reported. The incidents coincided with US President Donald Trump's go to to the area for the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.In keeping with the US Navy's Pacific Fleet, the primary crash concerned an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter that “went down within the waters of South China Sea whereas conducting routine operations from the plane provider USS Nimitz.” All three crew members aboard have been rescued by search and rescue groups, the assertion mentioned.Roughly half-hour later, a Boeing F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet fighter jet additionally crashed into the South China Sea “whereas conducting routine operations” from the identical provider. Each crew members efficiently ejected and have been safely recovered, the US navy confirmed.The US navy mentioned on social media Sunday night that the MH-60R Seahawk, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, went down round 2:45pm native time. “Search-and-rescue crews rescued three crew members,” the assertion mentioned.At 3:15pm, an F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet assigned to the “Combating Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 additionally went down whereas conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz. “All personnel concerned are secure and in secure situation,” the US navy mentioned. “The reason for each incidents is at present underneath investigation.”The crashes befell as US President Trump launched into a diplomatic tour throughout Asia, the place he's scheduled to fulfill Chinese language chief Xi Jinping for discussions centered on commerce. Relations between Washington and Beijing have been tense in current weeks after either side imposed new financial measures on one another.These incidents observe the lack of two Tremendous Hornet jets within the Purple Sea earlier this spring. Every F/A-18 fighter jet prices over $60 million, in response to the Navy. CNN reported that the USS Nimitz — among the many world's largest warships — is the oldest US plane provider in service and is about for retirement subsequent 12 months.Earlier this 12 months, two US warplanes additionally fell off the USS Harry S Truman plane provider whereas working within the Center East.
