U.S. Navy recovers warplane that fell into South China Sea
NBCNov 25, 2021
The Facts
The US Navy has salvaged the wreckage of an F-35C military stealth fighter jet from the South China Sea.
The aircraft crashed after failing to land on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson on Jan 24, injuring the pilot and six sailors.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
This recovery operation was a striking success for the US Navy, beating China to the punch. The complex salvage lasted 37 days and demonstrates US committment to safeguarding its assets--especially considering the wrecked jet could've fallen into China's hands and provided Beijing with important military intelligence.
Pro-China narrative
This isn't the first US military accident in the region - the nation should be promoting peace rather than saber rattling. Instead of being a trouble maker and an accident maker, the US should thoughtfully engage with China to promote true stability.
