An MH-60S helicopter embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) crashed into the sea on August 31, some 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego.
The Navy said it rescued one crewmember while search and rescue efforts continue for the other crewmembers of the crashed helicopter.
Multiple Coast Guard and Navy air and surface assets are involved in the effort.
The MH-60S crashed during routine flight operations at 4:30 p.m. PST.
In an update on the SAR efforts, the navy said the helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 was operating on deck before crashing into the sea.
The navy added that five additional sailors aboard Abraham Lincoln suffered injuries in the incident and are in stable condition. Two of the five injured sailors were transferred ashore for treatment.
Search efforts continue for five missing crew from the crashed MH-60S.
USS Abraham Lincoln is currently at sea for carrier qualifications for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleet replacement squadrons (FRS).
The ship completed its Planned Incremental Availability overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility’s San Diego Detachment in April this year and is preparing for a future deployment.
USS Abraham Lincoln is currently commanded by Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, the US Navy’s first female commanding officer to lead the crew of one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Capt. Bauernschmidt took over from Capt. Walt “Sarge” Slaughter during a change of command ceremony on August 19, 2021.
