A U.S. Navy fighter jet and helicopter crashed in the South China Sea within 30 minutes of each other during routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, military officials confirmed Tuesday. All crew members were safely recovered and are in stable condition.

The incidents involved an F/A-18F Super Hornet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter. Initial reports from the U.S. Pacific Fleet suggest a potential fuel-system issue may be to blame, prompting a full investigation into the dual crashes.

The events occurred amid the final deployment of the USS Nimitz, one of the Navy's oldest active carriers, which is returning to its home port after a mission supporting maritime security in the Middle East.

The twin crashes mark the latest in a series of aviation mishaps for the U.S. Navy, raising questions about the operational tempo and maintenance of its carrier-based aircraft.

In recent months, an F/A-18 was accidentally shot down by a supporting cruiser during a training exercise, another Super Hornet slid off a flight deck into the Red Sea, and a separate fighter jet missed arresting cables and plunged into the water, with its pilots ejecting safely.

In response to the pattern, the Navy has initiated a fleet-wide safety review.

"Carrier aviation is an inherently high-risk environment," a Navy spokesperson stated. "We have reinforced maintenance checks, particularly on fuel systems, and are continuously reviewing our training protocols to ensure the safety of our personnel."

The accidents occurred in the strategically vital South China Sea, a region where the U.S. has increased its naval presence to counter expansive Chinese territorial claims. While the Navy stated the operations were routine, the presence of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group underscores ongoing U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation in the contested waters.

Analysts note that the incidents also highlight the strain on the Navy's aging platforms. The USS Nimitz, commissioned in 1975, is concluding its final deployment after nearly five decades of service.

President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters while traveling abroad, addressed the crashes, stating there was "nothing to hide" and that the situation was being thoroughly investigated.

The Navy has deployed investigation teams to the Nimitz and is coordinating with aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Lockheed Martin to determine if any recurring technical faults contributed to the accidents.

For now, the successful rescue of all personnel has averted a tragedy, but the simultaneous loss of two advanced aircraft casts a shadow over the final voyage of the venerable USS Nimitz and adds urgency to the Navy's ongoing safety overhaul. (ILKHA)