A Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 (HSC-3) “Merlins” from NAS North Island in San Diego crashed near NAF El Centro, California, at around 6 p.m. on June 9. Fortunately, all four aboard survived, although a U.S. Navy statement issued shortly after the incident cited that “one of the aircrew has suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has been transported to a local hospital.”
The loss of the MH-60S Seahawk occurred just one day after the tragic crash of an MV-22 Osprey, near NAF El Centro, which killed all five crew.
The area where both aircraft were lost is a major training zone for USN and USMC aircraft prior to deployment or for major exercises.
