Mystery as US helicopter and jet crash in South China sea

 Two US Navy aircrafts went down in separate incidents today while conducting routine operations, officials have confirmed.

The official account for the US Navy's Pacific fleet explained both aircrafts went down on Sunday, October 26, the first at 2.45pm and the second just 30 minutes later at 3.15pm.

Taking to X the US Navy explained in further detail exactly what happened, but the cause of each crash has yet to be confirmed.

A spokesperson said: "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 from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

"Search and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11 safely recovered all three crew members. Following the incident, separately, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also went down in the waters of the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from Nimitz. Both crew members successfully ejected and were also safely recovered by search and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11.

"All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation."