Two Crew-Members Still Missing

At 11:36 p.m., PST, May 19, an HH-60 Seahawk helicopter went down off the coast of Southern California while conducting training operations with USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

The helicopter was from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 6 located in San Diego. HS 6 is part of Carrier Air Wing 11 assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

There were five crew members on board. Three are confirmed deceased. The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy continue search and rescue efforts for the remaining two crew members. Names of the crew members are not being released until notification of next of kin.

Nimitz was off the coast of California participating in a composite unit training exercise. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy are continuing search and rescue efforts along with the cooperation and assistance of Mexico.

The Sikorsky-built Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission Navy helicopter based on the versatile UH-60 Black Hawk airframe -- and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family.

The mishap is under investigation.

FMI: www.navy.mil