"As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Navy policy, the identities of the Sailors will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified," the statement read.

"The transition from search and rescue efforts to recovery operations comes after more than 72 hours of coordinated rescue efforts encompassing 34 search and rescue flights, over 170 hours of flight time, with 5 search helicopters and constant surface vessel search," it added.

"Units involved in the effort included assets from Coast Guard District 11, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), and helicopter squadrons from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Helicopter Sea Combat Wing and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing," Navy said in a media release.

The MH-60S helicopter, which had been assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, crashed into the Pacific Ocean, about 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego in California, at 4:30 pm. PST (Pacific Standard Time) on Aug 31 when it was conducting routine flight operations from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

The US Navy said that an investigation into the incident was underway.