Two U.S. Helicopters Missing in Iraqi Sandstorm, AFP Reports

Bloomberg Terminal | 3/25/03 | Bloomberg Staff

[BunnySlippers]

Two U.S. Helicopters Missing in Iraqi Sandstorm, AFP Reports

2003-03-25 10:39 (New York) Southwestern Iraq, March 25 (Bloomberg) -- Two U.S. attack helicopters went missing in southern Iraq in a sandstorm that reduced visibility to 100 meters (328 feet), Agence France-Presse reported, citing an unidentified U.S. Army officer.

The Apache and Black Hawk aircraft are unaccounted for and five other Apaches returned safely after the operation earlier today near the southern city of Nasiriyah, AFP cited the 3rd Infantry Division officer as saying.

Poor visibility forced a search for the missing helicopters to be postponed.

The storm sweeping over the Iraqi desert disrupted helicopter operations in the U.S.-U.K. advance on the capital, Baghdad. Allied ground troops moved to within 50 miles of the city today.

(AFP, 3-25)

[BunnySlippers]

I didn't see this posted. Please remove if it is a duplicate.

[Dog Gone]

Odds are they're down with mechanical problems. Hopefully, there are no unfriendlies in the area.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Where they were likely to be flying, I wouldn't bet that they were in friendly areas.

[BunnySlippers]

I wouldn't rule out a crash. The news was 100 mph sandstorms. Apparently the sand gets in the rotors. I think we can thank the UN for delaying us for so long that we are there smack in the middle of these storms.

[Lil'freeper]

Sand and choppers- not a good combination.

[dark_lord]

Yeah. Although every cloud (even a sandstorm) has a silver lining. We might not be able to see the Iraqis - but they can't see us either. And our GPS systems don't need to see.

[davisdoug]

Thank you FRANCE!!! May we enable them to rot in hell when this is over.

[mabelkitty]

Why fly?

[faithincowboys]

just take me out back and shoot me!

of course, it is to be expected, but every dang second the emotions go from the ceiling to the floor. Good Heavens!

Who do we have to thank for the fact that we had to wait and are now operating in impossible sandstorm weather?

Too many to mention, but any ideas? let em rip!!

[Diverdogz]

If they are down over the desert somewhere, its likely we will rescue the pilots before the Iraqis find them. Don't abandon hope yet!

[faithincowboys]

i won't, but we can't watch war play by play, it is unnatural for a nation. the normal ebbs and flows of war are magnified 100 fold.

God Bless the Pilots, may they be saved by our brave rescue teams!!!

[paws_and_whiskers]

If they are down over the desert somewhere, its likely we will rescue the pilots before the Iraqis find them. Don't abandon hope yet!

Channel surfing last night and saw a program on the guys that do the search and rescues. They are a brave bunch.

[Califelephant]

I don't get why we're flying choppers in sandstorms. Sand and helicopters don't mix.

[Eazy-E]

I never thought of it before, but the sand storms aren't only causing chaos due to low pilot visibility...... I just realized....its sand in the engines... grinding and fatiguing enormously sensitive, delicate machinery. Planes can glide... choppers, unless they're functining 100% are not gonna stay up long.

<*img src="http://www.desert-storm.com/Gallery/414053.jpg"*>

So Bradleys, jets, Hummers and other surface cruisers aren't affected, beyond the visibility problems...... which, of course is allowing enemy troops to approach the travel routs of allied forces in a manner they'd be unnable to match had visibility been sweet.

DAMN!!!!

[Eazy-E]

how do I post that pic?!

[TADSLOS]

Get rid of the asteriks.

[Eazy-E]

[TADSLOS]

Nice pic. That's an A Model. Here's the one that's missing:

AH-64D Longbow. It may or may not be a radar equipped bird that's missing.

[Bob J]

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