Posted on 02/07/2007 10:43:46 AM PST by maquiladora
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A Sea Knight helicopter crashed Wednesday in an insurgent stronghold northwest of Baghdad, killing all seven people on board, the military said, the fifth chopper lost in Iraq in just over two weeks.
A senior U.S. defense official said the helicopter did not appear to have been hit by hostile fire, but an Iraqi air force officer said it was downed by an anti-aircraft missile and an al-Qaida-linked Sunni group claimed responsibility for the downing.
The Iraqi air force officer, who was familiar with the investigation but declined to be identified because he was disclosing confidential information, said the helicopter went down after it was hit by an anti-aircraft missile.
Witnesses also said the helicopter had been shot down in a field in the Sheik Amir area northwest of Baghdad in a Sunni-dominated area between the Taji air base, 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad, and Karmah, 80 kilometers (50 miles) to the west of the capital.
"The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," said Mohammad al-Janabi, a farmer who was speaking less than a half-mile from the wreckage. "The helicopter, then, turned into a ball of fire. It flew in a circle twice, then it went down."
The military has said that four other helicopters that have crashed since Jan. 20 were believed to have been shot down, raising new questions about whether Iraqi insurgents are using more sophisticated weapons or whether U.S. tactics need changing.
Iraqi insurgents have used heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and shouldered-fired SA-7 anti-aircraft missiles throughout the conflict. U.S. officials believe Iran is supplying Shiite militias with new weapons including more powerful roadside bombs, Katyusha rockets and a newer class of RPGs.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Another? goodness - sounds like some terrorists have our pilots figured out... Come on guys - I thought I heard about some changes in tactics...
Maybe the US needs to stop flying helicopters over "insurgent strongholds." Just a thought. Maybe it's impractical to stop, though.
We should take the war
to the scumbags providing
the terrorists "help."
Iraq had thousands of MANPADS. Lots of weaponry simply went walkies out of the Iraqi inventory before Coalition forces could secure them.
He is in my prayers. Tell him that this USAF Airman is standing beside Him. He is not alone.
I really can't imagine being on either side of the news; recipient or giver. So very sad.
I also pray that these families who suffered loss today, as well as families of all others who have given their lives, know that those who serve are loved and supported by millions and that the media does not represent most of us.
Read Desolate Roads Part 2 now
Michael Yon is back in Iraq.
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/desolate-roads-part-2-of-2.htm
It tells more about how handcuffed our troops are.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.