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The U.S. Navy is searching for a crew member after a helicopter made an "emergency water landing" in the Arabian Sea, Navy officials said.The MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, which is assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush, landed around 3:30 am ET on July 1, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet said on social media. Three of the helicopter's crew were found and are in stable condition aboard the aircraft carrier.The fourth aircrewman remains missing. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Navy officials said "there is no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action."U.S. Central Command said June 23 the USS George H.W. Bush was one of two aircraft carriers that continues to operate in the Arabian Sea region "as U.S. forces remain present and vigilant."Tensions have continued to grow in the Middle East in recent days despite an tenuous ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. The war between the United States and Iran began Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched a joint bombing campaign in the Middle Eastern country. Thousands have died in the fighting, including 13 U.S. service members.Central Command shared images of sailors conducting nighttime operations, flight operations and maintaining an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the vessel. MH-60S Seahawk missions include anti-surface warfare, combat support, humanitarian disaster relief, and combat search and rescue, according to Naval Air Systems Command.The emergency landing and rescue efforts come weeks after Iran downed an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the U.S. to launch retaliatory strikes on June 9. The two pilots on board were unharmed and safe, according to President Donald Trump.Contributing: Joey Garrison and Michael Loria, USA TODAY
