The two planes crashed just 30 minutes apart on October 26, and the wreckage was recovered from a depth of 400 feet.
The U.S. Navy has successfully recovered an F/A-18F Super Hornet and MH-60R Seahawk that crashed just 30 minutes apart during routine flight operations aboard the USS Nimitz on October 26, 2025. Commander, Seventh Fleet Press release Both aircraft were recovered on December 5 at a depth of 400 feet.
Successfully recovered after more than a month two planes missing. This is related to Three Super Hornets missing in Red Seaservice has not yet been restored.
However, the background of the two cases is different. Keeping both aircraft in the South China Sea, even if severely damaged, could provide China with valuable insights into both U.S. platforms, making their repair a priority.
recovery
The Navy first acknowledged the ongoing salvage operation in mid-November, when break through defense first reported Statements about this service sent via email. “The U.S. Navy has begun mobilizing forces to verify the scene and recover the F/A-18 and MH-60R aircraft that disappeared from the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea on October 26,” said Commander Matthew Comer, public affairs officer for the U.S. 7th Fleet.
Later that month, navy times report Regarding the service's confirmation that “USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), a sustainment-class salvage vessel operated by Military Sealift Command, arrived on scene Nov. 12 to conduct rescue efforts.” The same Navy statement said at the time, “Recovery efforts are ongoing.”
The USNS Salvor is designed for rescue of stranded vessels, rescue and assistance, salvage of underwater objects, and manned diving operations. To salvage underwater objects, the vessel is equipped with a 7.5-ton jib at the front and a 40-ton jib at the rear, but it can also perform dynamic lifting of 150 tons and 300 tons using the main bow or stern rollers, independently or jointly.
In the latest press release, the service explained that recovery efforts were conducted by the Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73); Task Force 75; Naval Sea Systems Command Rescue and Diving Supervisor (SUPSALV); CTG 73.6's Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit. The Navy hired a contract ship, the Opportunity, with government-owned, contractor-operated unmanned systems to lift and recover the aircraft.
“This recovery was a true Navy team effort between CTF 73, SUPSALV, Task Force 75, HSM 73, VFA 22, and our mobile dive and salvage units,” said Navy Cmdr. Christopher Andersen, CTF 73 officer, led the salvage mission. “Everyone involved brings critical expertise to ensure we can safely and successfully return these aircraft to U.S. custody. This operation highlights the importance of Navy integration, readiness and the unparalleled capabilities of our rescue and dive teams.”
The department said all recovered aircraft parts will be transported to an undisclosed designated U.S. military facility located in the region. Indo-Pacific region Perform detailed analysis. The incidents remain under investigation and the recovery of components is critical to determining the cause of both incidents.
event
As we previously reported, on October 26, 2025, an MH-60R Seahawk and a F/A-18F Super Hornet The time interval between the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier crashing into the South China Sea was only 30 minutes. Five personnel, three aboard an MH-60R Seahawk and two aboard an F/A-18F Super Hornet, were safely rescued by carrier strike group search and rescue personnel.
this MH-60R SeahawkThe ” ” operated by the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73) first entered the South China Sea at around 2:45 pm local time. The helicopter was conducting a routine mission aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which currently leads Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG 11), when the incident occurred.
At around 3:15 pm local time, just half an hour later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22) crashed into the sea after both pilots ejected from the aircraft. The exact circumstances that led to the crew's decision to eject have not been confirmed.
The USS Nimitz is now on its final leg of its expected final operational deployment. The USS Nimitz, the oldest aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy fleet, departs March 2025 Conducts routine deployments to the Indo-Pacific region.
The aircraft carrier also stayed in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility for a period of time, Bahrain port call August. After docking at the port, the aircraft carrier sailed toward the Pacific Ocean and passed through the waters. controversial Issued by the People's Republic of China and returned to China upon arrival in San Diego, California on December 7, 2025.
