US F-35 crashes while landing on aircraft carrier during operations in the South China Sea

Asia-Pacific, News, US January 25, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter had a “landing mishap” while landing on the deck of nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on January 24 in the South China Sea, the Navy said in a statement.

According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet command, the F-35C Lightning II jet “was conducting routine flight operations” when the accident occurred on the USS Carl Vinson deck.

“The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via US military helicopter” and “is in stable condition”, the U.S. Navy’s office in Hawaii said in a statement.

According to sources, seven sailors aboard the carrier were injured in the crash. Four sailors were treated aboard Carl Vinson, while three of the seven injured sailors were medically evacuated to a treatment facility in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.

The U.S. Navy said in a statement that the cause of the “inflight mishap is under investigation”, but did not provide details on the status of the aircraft.

Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups dual-carrier operations

The U.S. Navy Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups started dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea on January 23, 2022. According to the U.S. Department of Defense statement on January 24, the main purpose of the mission is to reassure allies and demonstrate resolve to “counter malign influence”.

*^{The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy)}*

The U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group, led by USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) of CSG 1, and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) of CSG 3 participated in joint operations to enhance maritime communications operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air combat operations, maritime replenishment, cross-deck flight operations, and maritime interception operations to enhance integrated maritime operations and readiness.

The Department of Defense said in a statement that the training would take place in international waters in accordance with international law, but did not provide further details.

The ships and aircraft of two CGS, including more than 14,000 Sailors and Marines, will conduct coordinated surface and air operations in a complex maritime environment to demonstrate the ability of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command joint force to provide significant sea force.

*^{The F-35 Lightning II and Navy CMV-22B Osprey are among the aircraft on the USS Carl Vinson. (Image Credit: Chris Stone)}*

Commander of the Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Admiral J.T. Anderson said, “Training with Carrier Strike Group 1 in the South China Sea is a tremendously valuable opportunity. Operations like these allow us to improve our combat credible capability, reassure our allies and partners, and demonstrate our resolve as a Navy to ensure regional stability and counter malign influence.”