PHILIPPINE SEA – Five aircrew were rescued after their MH-60S helicopter went down in the Philippine Sea Jan. 25. Three were transported by a Japanese helicopter to Naval Hospital Okinawa for evaluation.
Two aircrew returned by U.S. Navy helicopter to USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
All five crewmembers are currently in stable condition.
The MH-60 assigned to Blue Ridge went down while conducting routine operations at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time.
Three aircrew were recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60 search and rescue helicopter, and the other two were recovered by a USS Blue Ridge MH-60S helicopter.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japanese Coast Guard, USS America (LHA 6), USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the U.S. Air Force all participated in the search and rescue.