Daijiworld Media Network – Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 27: In two separate incidents on Sunday, a US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed during routine operations over the South China Sea, with no loss of life reported. The accidents occurred as US President Donald Trump visited the region for the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz went down around 2:45 pm local time while conducting regular operations. “Search-and-rescue crews rescued all three crew members,” the Navy confirmed, adding that the personnel were in stable condition.

About 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet from the same carrier also crashed into the sea during a similar mission. The Navy said both pilots ejected safely and were recovered without injuries.

The Sea Hawk was assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, while the Super Hornet belonged to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22. “All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition,” the Navy stated, noting that the causes of both crashes remain under investigation.

The incidents came amid heightened US military presence in the Indo-Pacific and tense relations with China. President Trump, currently touring Asia, is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade and regional security.

The latest crashes follow a string of recent naval aviation mishaps, including the loss of two Super Hornet jets in the Red Sea earlier this year. Each F/A-18 fighter jet costs over $60 million. The USS Nimitz, one of the world’s largest and oldest active aircraft carriers, is slated for retirement next year.