TWO separate US Navy aircraft accidents occurred Sunday over the disputed waters, with all personnel safely rescued, according to the US Pacific Fleet.
In the first incident, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter crashed into the sea while conducting routine flight operations from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.
All three crew members aboard were recovered by search and rescue teams.
About thirty minutes later, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet also went down in the disputed waters during another routine operation from the same carrier.
The Navy confirmed that both pilots safely ejected from the jet and were recovered shortly after.
“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition,” the US Navy said in a statement, adding that investigations are underway to determine the cause of both incidents.
The crashes happened as US President Donald Trump continued his first official trip to Asia during his second term, and as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepared to begin a multi-country tour across the region.
Earlier this year, two US warplanes also fell from the USS Harry S. Truman while operating in the Middle East, raising concerns about aircraft safety during naval missions.