[seeker41]

He flew Chinooks 40 years ago over Nam. He flatly stated that these helicopters were "sitting ducks", they were used to haul freight and such during Nam....and they would NEVER be sent on a combat mission except in emergency.

You are correct, they usually use a Blackhawk with a backup chopper or two. This is very odd.

[tanknetter]

You are correct, they usually use a Blackhawk with a backup chopper or two. This is very odd.

Not true. The Chinook has MUCH better high altitude/high temperature (called "High and Hot) performance than the Blackhawk does. So is preferred (if not demanded)for many types of SpecOps missions in the Afghan mountains.

There's even a SpecOps-specific variant designated MH-47E/G.

Recall that during the Kill-Bin Laden raid the stealth Blackhawk was lost because the air temp was 15 degrees higher than planned for and the engines couldn't handle it. The military had two MH-47s standing by on backup duty for the exact eventuality that happened, and they pretty much saved the day.