(ReliableNews.org) – Each year, hundreds of military members lose their lives in accidents. Since 2008, accidents have claimed more lives each year than hostile military action. Another incident recently occurred, but fortunately, everyone survived.
On January 11, a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and its crew conducted a training exercise in San Diego Bay. Shortly after sunset, the aircraft from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 crashed into the water. Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet Cmdr. Beth Teach released a statement saying, “Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location.”
Teach didn’t explain what the training involved, but reports say it was preparation for day-into-night search-and-rescue missions. The entire six-member crew was rescued and taken ashore for medical evaluations. They were released from the hospital the next day. The Navy didn’t release any other information about the condition of the service members, except to say that there weren’t any life-threatening or critical injuries, and they were in good condition a couple of days later.
The US Coast Guard and Fire Department responded to the crash site. Two days later, Navy officials announced the MH-60R Seahawk was successfully retrieved from the San Diego Bay near Naval Base Coronado. It was in about 15 feet of water and moved to the base.
Capt. Newt McKissick, Naval Base Coronado’s commanding officer, stated that he was “immensely proud of the teamwork and determination” civilians and sailors exhibited during the recovery of the helicopter.
The MH-60R Seahawk is the Navy’s primary helicopter for anti-submarine warfare. It’s also used during search-and-rescue operations, logistics, intelligence, special warfare, medical evacuation, fire support, and reconnaissance missions.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
In 2021, another Navy helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Unfortunately, five sailors died in that accident. The Navy said the MH-60S was conducting routine flight operations at the time of the crash.
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