On October 26, 2025, two US Navy aircraft, a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, crashed while operating from the USS Nimitz in the South China Sea, prompting a salvage operation involving the USNS Salvor. Fortunately, all five crew members were rescued and are in stable condition. The crashes occurred amid escalating regional tensions, underscoring the operational risks inherent in this contested area, which is vital to both US military strategy and India’s maritime interests. The US Navy’s investigation into the causes, which may involve mechanical failure or human error, reflects its commitment to maintaining operational readiness and technological superiority in the Indo-Pacific region.