The US Navy is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the helicopter crash in San Diego Bay during a routine training exercise. All six crew members received a medical evaluation after the incident, which occurred on Thursday at approximately 6:40 p.m., nearly two hours after sunset, according to a news release from the military branch.
"Because of the training's nature, a safety boat was present, and with the help of Federal Fire, all six crew members were able to survive and be swiftly taken to shore," the statement read.
The Navy stated that Helicopter Maritime Strike squadron 41 was providing training for the crew "to operate and engage in combat with the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy's most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform."
In 2021, a Navy MH-60S helicopter crashed off San Diego, resulting in the deaths of five Navy sailors, as reported by the US 3rd Fleet at the time.
The MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electromagnetic warfare, command and control, and non-combat operations. It is also capable of performing naval surface fire support, medical evacuation, search and rescue, logistics, special warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, according to the Navy.