An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed into the South China Sea within a half-hour of each other on Sunday.

A U.S. helicopter and fighter jet crashed in the contested waters within an hour of one another during routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the Pacific Fleet had said. President Donald Trump later said "bad fuel" was believed to be the reason the two aircraft went down.

China’s newest aircraft carrier may only be able to conduct air operations at about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Navy carrier, two former US carrier officers say, a substantial combat limitation for a vessel meant to revolutionize Beijing’s fleet.

China is making major advances in its Naval technology, launching an aircraft carrier that could make it easier to strike enemy targets.

The Pentagon said the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group will enhance U.S. military capabilities in the Caribbean.

TRUMP IN JAPAN: President Donald Trump is in Japan, the second stop of his three-country tour of Asia. He met with newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi this morning, and will soon address U.S. troops on board the USS George Washington.