Sailors injured after US fighter jet botches landing near China — Analysis
Pilot safely ejected his plane during the unsuccessful landing. However, several sailors sustained injuries.
Following a fatal accident involving a US Navy pilot, seven Navy personnel were left with injuries. “landing mishap”On a US Supercarrier, and had to be forced from the aircraft during operations in South China Sea.
On Monday, the US Navy reported that one of their F-35C Lightning II stealth aircrafts was damaged. “landing mishap on deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea.”
After the pilot was freed from his aircraft, he was brought to safety by a military helicopter. Seven sailors suffered injuries in the accident, three of which required a medical evacuation into the Philippines. Three sailors were reportedly stable.
Other injured sailors received treatment onboard, while three were released.
The US Navy is investigating exactly what happened.
The supercarriers of Navy, USS Carl Vinson (Navy Supercarrier) and USS Abraham Lincoln (Navy Supercarrier) were conducting a drill at South China Sea when the incident occurred. This was in response to ongoing tensions between China and the US.
This week, Rear Admiral Dan Martin (commander of Carrier Strike Group 1) boasted that the drill was “amazing”. “highlights the U.S. Navy’s ability to deliver overwhelming maritime force, when called upon, to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
“We are committed to ensuring the lawful use of the sea and free flow of commerce while deterring those who challenge the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific now and into the long-term future,”He continued.
Beijing has territorial claims to almost all of the South China Sea, and routinely denounces Washington’s operations in the area as a violation of its sovereignty. Other nations such as Brunei, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam also claim islands within the disputed watersway.
READ MORE
China ‘warns off’ US destroyer
Share this story via social media
[ad_2]