Apaches ran into "hornet's nest" of Iraqi fire-CNN

Reuters | 3/24/03

[kattracks]

Apaches ran into "hornet's nest" of Iraqi fire-CNN

KUWAIT, March 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Apache attack helicopters ran into a major battle south of Baghdad on Monday in the closest fighting to the Iraqi capital in five days of war, a CNN reporter with the helicopter unit said.

Iraqi television earlier showed gun-waving Iraqis dancing around a downed Apache. Iraq said local farmers had brought down two Apaches and said it would later show the second helicopter and the captured pilots on television.

CNN correspondent Karl Penhaul accompanying the U.S. Army Fifth Corps 11th Attack Helicopter Regiment said a unit of Apaches had been on a night-time combat mission targeting units of President Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard.

He cited one of the pilots as saying they had hit "a hornet's nest, a barrage of anti-aircraft fire" near the city of Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) southwest of Baghdad, the closest major fighting to the Iraqi capital since U.S.-led forces invaded on Friday from Kuwait about 500km in the south.

"It was all they could do to defend themselves. They were not able to achieve many of their objectives...They had to return fire and get out of the situation," Penhaul said.

He said he had seen between 10 and 30 bullet holes in the fuselage and canopies of the helicopters involved.

"There is some work now to make sure these aircraft can fly again," Penhaul said, adding that some had holes in the perspex canopies showing the bullets had narrowly missed pilots' heads.

A rocket propelled grenade had hit one Apache, taking out part of its twin engine, he said.

Asked about the morale of the pilots, Penhaul said they had been expecting the mission to be a difficult one.

"They have come back feeling surprised, dazed, stunned somewhat...They could not really believe all that fire could be out there. For many it was their first experience of live combat, so it brought with it those kind of issues and traumas."

"They are a very well-trained unit. Commanders are working with them to buoy morale and ensure they continue fighting and get the helicopters back into air once the necessary repairs have been carried out," Penhaul said.

The Apache is a twin-engine army attack helicopter which has been deployed in the 1991 Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

[Poohbah]

OK, we have claims that an Apache was shot down...anything from CENTCOM confirming this?

[ladtx]

"They have come back feeling surprised, dazed, stunned somewhat...

An expected remark of a CNN reporter. Chances are they returned, surpised, pissed, and anxious to get back to the fight.

[Lil'freeper]

I don't care for the media's obsession with the damage we're enduring- they make it sound like we're in dire straits. Report our losses, yes, but put them in context. I'd like to know how many artillery units we've eliminated, how many tanks, how many pink gun trucks, etc.. for every helicopter that goes down. Time for the media's propaganda mill to work for us rather than against us.

[tomahawk]

We need to lay down heavy artillery, MLRS and possibly B-52 70,000 of conventional ordnance to clear this area ("battlefield prep"), then send in the Apaches.

[LarryM]

It is the wrong weapon for this situation. Where are the B52s?

[blastdad51]

Apache Longbow down. The longbow is a really high tech bird, I hope the Army has plans to smoke that aircraft before the Iraqis can nose around in it.

[ladtx]

The AH-64 is the weapon for this fight. Sounds like intel wasn't as advertised. Close air support aircraft like A-10s would be better. If you need a bomber the B-1 would be much better than the B-52.

[Jumper]

The enemy has fired their weapons from static positions.... It won't be long til the ARC_Light strikes and other Air-to-Ground softens them up a bit; then our choppers will be back out there chewing up the Iraqi Republic Guard's armor:)

[TADSLOS]

Iraqi television earlier showed gun-waving Iraqis dancing around a downed Apache. Iraq said local farmers had brought down two Apaches and said it would later show the second helicopter and the captured pilots on television.

Never believe the first report. The longbow videotaped on the ground appears completely intact. Both doors appear to be locked. The crowd of Iraqis gathered around it in the video aren't seen in the cockpit. They calim to have the two pilots but they have, as of yet, not displayed them on video, as one would expect them to. It's too early to tell but it appears that the crew had the time to secure the aircraft to the extent that they could and may be in hiding awaiting pickup by CSAR later tonight. That's my hope and prayer, anyway.

[tomahawk]

3 B-52's flying abreast can take out a square mile with a 50 foot deep crater. Turn this static AAA to ashes.

[First_Salute]

Yep.

[First_Salute]

Yep.

[Tallguy]

Apache Longbow down.

The Apache that is being shown on TV is definitely not a "Longbow". There is no "mast" above the rotors.

[revtown]

Our only hope is that the Iraqi's use chemical weapons.
Then the French will come to our rescue.

[hobbes1]

Perhaps part of the Apache Mission was to smoke out the AAA Fire, so that a better coordinated Bomb run could be made...

[blastdad51]

I sure thought I saw one! Check again.

[San Jacinto]

Apaches ran into "hornet's nest" of Iraqi fire-CNN

I've encountered a hornet's nest or two. I used the right stuff on them and left behind lots and lots of dead hornets.

[San Jacinto]

Apache Longbow down

Who says? the one shown on Iraqi TV is no longbow.

[blastdad51]

I'll take you word for it but the footage I saw I'd have sworn the bird had that big dome sitting on top of the rotor mast. I do hope you're right though.

Prayers for the crew.