During the course of last week, the U.S. Navy successfully carried out the recovery tasks of an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter and an MH-60R helicopter that had been lost by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during its last deployment in the Pacific, the same which constituted the final one planned before its definitive retirement from service. Both units were lost in two accidents that took place on October 26, which occurred with only half an hour of separation between them, with their remains left completely unusable a little more than 120 meters below the sea.
Expanding on some details disclosed by the institution itself, it must be mentioned that these recovery tasks of both platforms were carried out from a contractor’s ship, which had the capability to deploy an unmanned system that was operated by U.S. personnel who contributed to lifting the aircraft from the bottom of the sea. Elements of the so-called Task Force 73 and Task Force 75 participated in this mission, in addition to having the assistance of units of divers specialized in salvage tasks, as well as the SUPSALV command of the U.S. Navy.
Quoting some official statements regarding this, it is possible to cite Lieutenant Commander Christopher Andersen, who was in charge of the mission described: “This recovery was a true team effort by the Navy through CTF 73, SUPSALV, Task Force 75, HSM 73, VFA 22 and our Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit. Everyone involved brought crucial expertise that ensured we were able to put these aircraft back under U.S. custody safely and successfully. This operation highlights the importance of naval integration, readiness and the unrivaled capability of our rescue and diving teams.”
Once the salvage tasks were completed, it was reported that the recovered elements are being transported to an unspecified U.S. military facility, although they would be facilities located within the Indo-Pacific theater itself. Once this is completed, the remains would be analyzed in depth by U.S. Navy technicians and engineers to obtain more data regarding the accidents, something that will be of special relevance for the investigation currently underway to determine their causes.
Finally, returning to what was mentioned in initial lines, it is worth recalling that the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is already in the process of being definitively retired; something that should occur with its arrival in Bremerton, in the state of Washington. The post left by this ship in the Indo-Pacific has already been taken temporarily by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), maintaining the presence of the U.S. Navy in a region of great strategic relevance, although now with reduced rotation capabilities. Thinking in the medium term, the force should count on new Gerald R. Ford–class aircraft carriers of greater capabilities, with which the older Nimitz-class ships will be progressively replaced.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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