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Global Desk A U.S. Navy fighter jet and helicopter crashed within 30 minutes of each other above the South China Sea on Sunday, initiating an urgent rescue mission by the navy. Both events happened in routine flight missions from the USS Nimitz, one of the most active and historic aircraft carriers of NavyThe initial accident was an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, estimated between $40 million and $400 million, which crashed around 2:45 p.m. local time. Almost half an hour later, a F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also went down during flight operations. The Navy stated that all the crew members that included both aircraft, two pilots from the Super Hornet and the crew aboard the Sea Hawk, successfully ejected and rescued.As per the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Super Hornet was assigned to the Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron 22. President Donald Trump called the two incidents"very unusual,” mentioning that investigators suspect a possible fuel contamination challenge may have contributed a role.“They think it might be bad fuel,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, emphasizing transparency: “We’re gonna find out. Nothing to hide, sir.”Despite the concerning incidents, authorities confirmed that all personnel were in stable condition and that the USS Nimitz continues to be completely operational.Live Events Navy’s Troubling Year of Aircraft LossesThe accidents mark another setback for the U.S. Navy’s aviation fleet, which has lost four F/A-18 jets in 2025 alone. The F/A-18, initially launched in 1978, continues to be a major part of the Navy’s air arsenal. The Super Hornet variant, operational since 1999, can reach speeds of Mach 1.8 (almost 1,200 mph) and boasts a range exceeding 2,000 miles without refueling.Earlier this year, another F/A-18E Super Hornet was lost overboard into the Red Sea while being towed on the USS Harry Truman. The carrier was performing evasive maneuvers to avoid Houthi rebel attacks, leading to both the aircraft and a tow tractor being lost.USS Nimitz Nears Final DeploymentThe USS Nimitz, which has been deployed in the South China Sea since October 17, is now on its last deployment before decommission in May 2026. As the Navy’s oldest active aircraft carrier, it has a major role in global operations and is capable of housing up to 130 F/A-18 Hornets at a time.The both crashes happened amid heightened regional strains as China remains to expand its maritime presence. U.S. defense authorities maintain that the accidents are under investigation and unrelated to foreign intervention.Trump’s “Golden Fleet” VisionIn response to evolving challenges of the U.S. Navy’s aging fleet, President Trump has allegedly begun initiating the creation of a “Golden Fleet” , a new generation of improved warships that has long-range and hypersonic missiles. The Wall Street Journal states that discussions between the White House and Pentagon are continuing to modernize naval strength and ensure U.S. dominance at the sea.Experts, however, caution China's rapidly expanding naval capacities. As per the Nick Childs, a maritime analyst with the BBC, “The Chinese shipbuilding capacity is something like 200 times overall that of the United States.” The Pentagon states that the People’s Liberation Army Navy now operates around 370 ships, with projections indicating that number could elevate to 435 by 2030.FAQs:What happened in the South China Sea? A U.S. Navy jet and helicopter went down within 30 minutes of each other in routine operations from the USS Nimitz.Were there any casualties? No fatalities were reported. All crew members were rescued and stable.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onUS Navy jet crashSouth China Sea incidentsUSS NimitzTrump comments on Navy crashesUS Navy aircraft lossesmilitary aviation accidentsChina maritime expansionaviation rescue missionGolden Fleet vision (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onUS Navy jet crashSouth China Sea incidentsUSS NimitzTrump comments on Navy crashesUS Navy aircraft lossesmilitary aviation accidentsChina maritime expansionaviation rescue missionGolden Fleet vision(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless
