Navy Helicopter Crash Near Guam: San Diego-Based Crew Reported Safe

SAN DIEGO, CA -- A U.S. Navy helicopter from a squadron based in San Diego crashed in waters off Guam, but all three crew members were safely recovered, the Navy announced Wednesday.

The MH-60R helicopter crashed during routine flight operations, the Navy said. Two pilots and one crewman were recovered by the USS Dewey, a guided missile destroyer to which the helicopter squadron is assigned.

The crew was being assessed by medical staff on the USS Dewey, but there were no apparent injuries, according to the Navy statement.

The incident is under investigation.

The helicopter squadron, HSM 78, along with the Dewey and the USS Sterett -- another guided missile destroyer -- departed San Diego for the western Pacific on March 31. The United States has been ramping up its military operations in the area amid rising tensions with a nuclear-armed North Korea.

By City News Service