U.S. Navy helicopter and fighter jet crash into South China Sea during routine operations

WASHINGTON: A U.S. Navy helicopter and a fighter jet crashed into the South China Sea during separate training missions, according to reports. The incidents occurred on Sunday afternoon (local time).

The MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter went down around 2:45 p.m., while the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet crashed about 30 minutes later, at 3:15 p.m. The U.S. Navy has launched an investigation into the two accidents, which happened at different times but in the same region.

Initial reports indicate that no casualties or injuries were reported in either incident. In an official statement, the U.S. Navy said an investigation is underway to determine the causes of the crashes.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who is currently on a three-nation visit to Asia, witnessed the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia the other day. Trump arrived in Malaysia yesterday to attend the ASEAN Annual Summit. He is scheduled to visit Japan and South Korea before returning to the United States, with a possible meeting with the Chinese President also being discussed.