Posted on 04/15/2007 4:25:17 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
The two helicopters that crashed in Iraq on Sunday (local time) were British, Defence Secretary Des Browne said.
Mr Browne says two troops were killed and one was very seriously injured.
He says that the crash appeared to be an accident.
The helicopters came down in the early hours of the morning in a rural area south-west of Taji, home to a huge American military base north of Baghdad.
"Now that next of kin have been informed, I can confirm that the two helicopters reported this morning as having crashed north of Baghdad earlier today were, in fact, both UK helicopters," Mr Browne said in a statement.
"Sadly, two personnel have died and one is very seriously injured.
"All of these were UK personnel.
"My thoughts and sympathy are with them and their families.
"Initial reports indicate that the crash was an accident and was not a result of an attack by insurgents.
"An investigation is under way and I will not comment further on the details of the incident at this stage."
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
I’ve been trying to get the mods to change the title on this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1817616/posts
US helicopters ‘collide’ in Iraq
Maybe they’re napping?
Sounds like a reasonable suggestion...
The other thread is locked. Sorry ‘bout the confusion, AM.
Looks like these were Special Ops birds.
We are all volunteers here and therefore not entitled to the luxury of napping.
It was a throw away line. Guess I should have used a /s.
British soldiers so far North? This will have been Special Forces on an op, or top level Commanders going to a meeting......
RIP....
That I know of, this is the second time in Iraq that this has happened. Four helicopters and ten plus dead for military esthetics. I always thought helicopters flying close together, even in peace time, was stupid. And in war? Real stupid. It is as if the Army stilled moved infantry in 1800’s boxes? Everywhere else on the battle field, even the Navy, it is spread your self out. But Army aviation? Fly close so if the AA, or SAM misses one, another helicopter will catch it.
Prayers for the troops.
UK Special ops folks work all over the country in conjunction with the other CF SOF units.
Regards,
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