A search operation is underway after a US Navy crew member went missing when an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, according to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
The incident occurred early on Wednesday while the helicopter, assigned to the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), was carrying four crew members during an operational mission in the region.
US Navy officials said the helicopter was forced to conduct an emergency water landing at around 3:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Three crew members were safely recovered and were reported to be in stable condition aboard the aircraft carrier, while search efforts continue for the fourth aircrew member.
The US Fifth Fleet stated there was no indication that the emergency landing resulted from hostile action. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident.
The helicopter involved was an MH-60S Sea Hawk, a multi-role naval aircraft commonly used for search and rescue, logistics, mine countermeasures and combat support operations. The aircraft carrier has been operating in the region as part of the US Navy’s ongoing maritime security mission.
The crash comes as the United States maintains a heightened naval presence in the Middle East following recent regional tensions, including security concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes and has seen increased military activity in recent months.
US Navy vessels and aircraft have been deployed to support the search-and-rescue mission in the Arabian Sea. Officials have not released the identity of the missing crew member, and no additional details about the circumstances leading to the emergency landing have been made public.
The Pentagon has not provided further comment beyond the Fifth Fleet’s statement, saying the incident remains under investigation as rescue operations continue in the area.