Another Helo down near Baghdad

[ORAC]

BBC: Helicopter 'crashes near Baghdad'

The US military says it is checking reports that a helicopter has gone down north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Police and witnesses reported seeing a helicopter come down near a US air base at Taji, shortly after dawn. If confirmed, it would be the fourth helicopter lost in two weeks. Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed near Baghdad. The helicopter is believed to have been shot down. The US military has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.

"I can confirm that we are looking into reports that a helicopter went down north of Baghdad," US military spokeswoman Lt Col Josslyn Aberle said.

Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed Iraqi military source as saying his unit saw the helicopter go down near Taji, about 30km (20 miles) north of the capital. "We don't know the reasons for the crash, nor its exact site because the US army has sealed off the area," the source said.

[Feneris]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-02-02-sectarian-violence_x.htm

[Melchett01]

I make it 4 or 5 in the past 2 weeks now. Not a happy time for aviation in Iraq.

Condolences to all.

[Jacks Down]

SASless,
I couldn't agree more. Let's show the respect we would to UK fliers. We're all on the same side, not that that should matter anyway.
JD

[brickhistory]

Thank you, SASless.

[mbga9pgf]

SASless, Wholly agree, and wish to apologise if my remarks seemed crass and insensitive, I did not intend them to be. To this end I have deleted my previous post; I also wish to pass on my condolences to all involved. I assure you each time I learn of any casualties in that sh*t hole, whether they be American, Brit or other Ally, I cannot help but feel dispair, together with a feeling that the cost is far too great.

[nigegilb]

Read in a US broadsheet a few days ago (before this latest tragedy), that there was rising concern about the 3 most recent downings of US helos. There was speculation that the Iranians might be supplying different kit in theatre. As the ante is upped between US and Iran I guess this is to be expected.

We certainly need the very best self defence systems in our own aircraft.

Sincere condolences to the families of those killed in this latest incident.

[Faithless]

Tis a sad day when anyone of the Air family dies, be it Crab, Pongo or fishhead and that goes to all those fighting on the same side:sad:

RIP

[Radar Command T/O]

SASless,

You're absolutely correct. It shames me to say that I nearly clicked off the forum when I realised it wasn't a British helo, but your post has quite correctly driven home the point that it is incumbent on all of us sat discussing such events from the safety of our own homes/offices never to become desensitized to the huge personal tragedies being faced by relatives, friends and colleagues of military personnel on an increasingly and alarmingly regular basis.

Condolences to all involved.

[WE Branch Fanatic]

RIP guys. Condolences to those left behind.

[Chugalug2]

<The US military has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.>

Sincere condolences to those left behind, Rest in Peace those who died on this occasion. The above figures remind us of the toll of duty-done in Iraq alone. We may have our issues SAS, at the moment the Oxford Coroner has one with the USAF, but be in no doubt that the Brits grieve for all who perish in the carnage that is post war Iraq!

[MReyn24050]

We may have our issues SAS, at the moment the Oxford Coroner has one with the USAF,
No, the Oxford Coroner has a problem with the Ministry of Defence. RIP those who have lost their lives and sincere condolences to family and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident.

[SASless]

It is so easy to hear of another aircraft being downed and forgetting the reality of what that means for the family and friends of those lost. Unless it happens to someone within our own circle of people, these losses are just another number of the great tally board of war.

There is nothing more precious to a Father than his daughter. Our society tells us men folk are to be the warriors and protectors of our family but nowadays we also send our daughters off to war along with our sons.

I know losing a child to war is a terrible thing but to lose a daughter must be especially hard. One such loss has stayed with me for years. If I had been her Father, I do not know how I could have endured that loss.

Captain Kimberly Hampton who was lost in action while flying a Kiowa Helicopter over Fallujah during combat operations, stands out as an example of how evil the wages of war can be. She is but one of thousands of others that have been lost and each are just as precious to their family as Hampton is, but her loss really hit me where it hurts.


http://www.brandonblog.com/capt-kimberly-hampton-hero.html

[Tigs2]

Is it just me going around with my eyes and ears shut or has this not been on the UK news? We (as a society) have become totally desensitised to the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. Headlines today on the news - 5 turkeys have flu! The media and government should be ashamed of themselves, we are after all a coilition force.

I can only offer my sincere condolences to all the family members involved. We will not forget your loved ones, nor the contribution they have made for our countries.

[ProfessionalStudent]

It HAS been in the UK media Tigs. It was even mentioned on the Radio1 news (a friend was listening to it - honest).

Condolences to all those involved. I hope it is not more fuel to the Iran conspiracists...

[ewe.lander]

The 54 times I landed on runway 33L in Baghdad in my comfortable pointy Jet, I was aware the US military helicopter crews were out there guarding and protecting the perimeter for pilots like me. As an ex-rotary dude, I respect what they go through. Forget politics, it's a privilege to work with fellow professionals. English Bloke (not British, coz the Scottish can't play rugby) (I know, we can't play cricket......)

[ORAC]

Casualties confirmed..

New York Times - (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/world/middleeast/02cnd-iraq.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)Two Americans Killed in Helicopter Crash in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Feb. 2 — An American Apache attack helicopter was shot down today just north of Baghdad, and both crewmembers were killed, an American military official said.

It was the fourth American helicopter to crash in the past two weeks, a disturbing trend that American military commanders acknowledged had them concerned. Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that attacks by militants have “been more effective against our helicopters in the last couple of weeks.”

Saying he had looked closely at the issue, General Pace said he did not know if militants were using a new approach or growing more skilled at attacking helicopters, or whether the recent losses were just a reflection of how much the military has come to rely on helicopters in combat here.............

The American military released no details about the latest downing today, except to say that it was investigating the incident. Iraqis who saw the attack said that militants were clearly waiting to ambush passing helicopters.

Abu Ahmed, who lives near the crash site, said that gunmen were lying in wait near a manufacturing plant in al-Sheik Amir village, near the town of Taji, a central hub for helicopter traffic around Baghdad. Americans who are currently training Iraqi pilots there said privately that they were worried about enemies becoming more sophisticated in downing helicopters. Just after sunrise, Mr. Ahmed said, two American Apache helicopters flew low right over where the militants were waiting. They hit both and downed one, he said.

A militant group quickly claimed credit, hours before the American authorities confirmed the incident. The militants promised to post a video of the attack on the Internet. “On the morning of this blessed day, Friday, Feb 2., 2007, an air defense battalion of the Islamic State of Iraq was able to gun down an Apache,” the militant’s statement said. “The Apache was completely burned. We will show the filming of this soon.”

Just two weeks ago, an American Black Hawk helicopter was shot down north of Baghdad, and all twelve soldiers on board were killed. That attack also seemed to involve elaborate planning, according to an American officer familiar with the attack. The militants, equipped with a shoulder-fired missile, were waiting in the back of a truck, under a blue tarp, and only revealed themselves just as the helicopter passed overhead.

In both that attack and the attack Friday, American forces responded swiftly.

The crash site outside Taji was quickly secured by American troops and the two bodies were recovered, according to a military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because an official report had not yet been released.....

[sarsteph]

The US have just admitted that the reason for the last 4 helicopter losses, including the latest one has been hostile fire. RIP.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6329353.stm