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US Navy helicopter goes down in Philippine Sea, crew safe

US Navy file photo of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter launching from USS Blue Ridge

A US Navy MH-60S helicopter from amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge went down in the Philippine Sea on January 25.

The US Navy’s 7th Fleet said all five aircrew were rescued after the crash. Three were transported by a Japanese helicopter to Naval Hospital Okinawa for evaluation, while two aircrew returned by US Navy helicopter to USS Blue Ridge.

All five crewmembers are currently in stable condition, according to the navy.

The MH-60 assigned to Blue Ridge went down while conducting routine operations at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time.

Three aircrew were recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60 search and rescue helicopter, and the other two were recovered by a USS Blue Ridge MH-60S helicopter.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japanese Coast Guard, USS America (LHA 6), USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the US Air Force all participated in the search and rescue.