Navy issues safety pause after multiple aviation crashes

After multiple crashes involving Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, the service announced that a safety pause will begin today for all non-deployed Navy aviation units.

Commander of Naval Air Forces Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell has directed the safety pause to review risk-management practices and conduct training on threat and error-management processes, according to a statement released over the weekend.

Most recently, an MH-60S Seahawk crashed near El Centro, CA on Thursday while conducting a routine training flight. All four of the aircrew on board survived the crash, although one was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

After an MV-22B Osprey crashed near Glamis, CA on June 8, five Marines died. All five Marines were assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 -- based in Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, CA.

On June 3, a Navy pilot was killed when an F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed in the vicinity of Trona, CA. The incident, among others, is currently under investigation.

"In order to maintain the readiness of our force, we must ensure the safety of our people remains one of our top priorities," the June 11 statement said.

The Navy added that deployed units will conduct the safety pause at the earliest possible opportunity.