A U.S. Navy helicopter and F/A-18F fighter jet both separately went down in the South China Sea on Sunday, the U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed, raising eyebrows and prompting questions about the timing and reasons behind the incidents in a strategically important region.

The Sea Hawk helicopter and Super Hornet fighter jet went down within half an hour of one another while conducting "routine operations" in the South China Sea from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz , the military said.

Search and rescue teams safely recovered all three crew members of the Sea Hawk helicopter, and the two on board the Super Hornet. All personnel are "in stable condition," and investigations are ongoing, the Pacific Fleet said.

Newsweek has reached out to the Pacific Fleet for further comment.

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