Posted on 03/25/2003 5:34:15 PM PST by Destro
Tuesday March 25, 11:48 PM
Black Hawk, Apache helicopters missing in Iraqi sandstorm: US
SOUTHWEST IRAQ (AFP) - A US Apache and a Black Hawk helicopter went missing during a heavy sandstorm in southern Iraq which cut visibility to just 100 meters (yards), a US officer told AFP.
"At the moment one Apache and one Black Hawk are unaccounted for," said the senior officer with the Bravo Company aviation unit under the command of the 3rd Infantry Division at an unidentified point to the south of Nasiriyah.
A sandstorm raging since 10:00 am (0700 GMT) halted a planned advance northwards by the unit.
Five other Apache helicopters which had also taken off landed safely, the officer added.
Poor visibility forced a search for the two helicopters to be put off.
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