America wins race against China to recover US F-35C fighter jet that crashed in South China after USS pilot Carl Vinson lands in January
- The wreckage was retrieved from a depth of about 12,400 feet using a remote-controlled vehicle to secure the rigging to the aircraft before being lifted.
- The fighter plane will be delivered to a nearby military damage assessment facility
- Seven US servicemen injured in January 24 incident on deck of aircraft carrier
- At the time, USS Vinson was conducting training in the strategic South China Sea, much of which is being taken over by China.
- The crash site in international waters has fueled the belief that China will rebuild the plane before the United States because of its advanced technology.
The United States has found an F-35C fighter jet that crashed in the south China Sea in a landing accident in January, the US Navy said on Thursday, fearing that China would intervene in its extraction.
The wreckage was recovered from a depth of about 12,400 feet with the help of a remote-controlled vehicle to attach the rigging to the plane, which was then lifted by a diving support ship, the US Navy’s 7th Fleet said in an email.
He will be delivered to a nearby military facility to help continue the investigation into the incident, the statement said.
“Recovery efforts show the commitment of the US Navy to its assets and a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” it said.
Members of the U.S. Navy’s 75th Task Force and the Chief of Naval Rescue Command were responsible for the operation. They used the Picasso dive to remove the wreckage.
Seven U.S. servicemen were injured in a January 24 incident on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which was conducting training in the strategic South China Sea, much of which is being taken over by China.
The fighter jet tore off four of the ship’s deck retaining cables, which are commonly used to hold aircraft hooks to keep them grounded.
A significant amount of debris was scattered on the catapult tracks on deck. However, the carrier was ready to land and launch the plane within 45 minutes after the crash.
The U.S. Navy said on Thursday it had found a stealth F-35C fighter jet that crashed in the South China Sea after an emergency landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in January.
The crash site of the F-35C fighter in international waters has fueled speculation that China may want to retrieve the plane before the United States due to its advanced technology.
The pilot of the jet was ejected and pulled out of the water. He was taken to Manila, Philippines, along with two other wounded sailors in the crash. Four additional sailors who were injured were treated on board Vesson by medical personnel.
“When the accident happened, we had additional planes that had to land,” said a defense official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on ongoing investigations, Defense News said in February. “Training started immediately.”
Photos and videos of the January crash have been circulating online, showing the plane crashing on deck before sliding across the ship’s upper lane and falling into the South China Sea.
An Navy ensign, a senior commander and three chiefs were later charged with disobeying an order under Article 92 of the Unified Code of Military Justice for the release of personnel.
Vinson, who traveled to the Far East in August last year, returned to San Diego in February. This was the first deployment of the F-35C Lightning II and CMV-22 Osprey.
Members of the 75th US Navy Task Force and the Chief of Naval Rescue Command were in charge of retrieving the F-35C fighter (pictured).
The F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, launched from the cockpit of the ship on January 22, 2022 in the South China Sea, just two days before the crash
Earlier, the Navy dismissed media reports suggesting fears that the $ 100 million fighter jet could fall into the hands of China, which said at the time it had no interest in rebuilding the military plane.
The F-35C incorporates some of the most advanced naval technology.
– We advise [the US] to contribute more to regional peace and stability, rather than imposing force at every turn [the South China Sea]”Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijiang said.
Shortly after the crash, Navy officials described Carl Vinson’s damage as “superficial” and said he was quick to resume normal operations.
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