In a miraculous turn of events, all six crew members aboard a US Navy helicopter survived a crash into San Diego Bay on Thursday evening. The MH-60R helicopter, belonging to the Helicopter Maritime Strike squadron (HSM) 41, went down during a routine training mission at approximately 6:40 p.m., according to Naval Air Station North Island spokesperson Commander Beth Teach.

The Navy confirmed that a safety boat was present at the scene due to the nature of the training, and with the assistance of Federal Fire, all six crew members were promptly rescued and brought ashore. Teach stated that all personnel were currently undergoing medical evaluation.

The US Coast Guard swiftly responded to the incident and is providing assistance. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash. The MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, known for its capabilities in anti-submarine and surface warfare, is considered the Navy's most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform.

This incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by military personnel during training exercises. However, it is also a testament to the effectiveness of safety protocols and the swift response of emergency personnel, which ultimately led to the successful rescue of all crew members.

This crash comes amidst a series of recent incidents involving US military aircraft. In November, five Army aviation special operations forces lost their lives when their helicopter experienced an in-flight emergency during aerial refueling training, causing it to crash into the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, a US Navy spy plane crashed off the Hawaiian island of Oahu after veering off the runway at a US Marine Corps base. Although there were no fatalities in that incident, the Navy is still working to remove the aircraft from an environmentally sensitive bay.

As the investigation into the San Diego Bay crash continues, the Navy will be analyzing the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The safety and well-being of military personnel remain a top priority, and measures will be taken to ensure the continued effectiveness of training missions while minimizing risks.