Black Hawk down with 11 on board, 7 dead

[StopDemocratsDotCom]

breaking

[Ciexyz]

The Iraqis have been watching "Black Hawk Down" and learned some tactics.

By the way, that movie's a wonderful portrayal of the Somali conflict and American heroism, and Ridley Scott should've gotten Best Director, but the Hollyweird Left would never reward a war movie.

[MeekOneGOP]

Just saw this on FOX a few minutes ago . . .

Click here for “Taps”

[error99]

..my hubby and son are on their way to kick your a$$ out of Baghdad...
- -
God bless them and you.

[TheLion]

I have wondered why these choppers don't have a little more armor or aren't a little harder to bring down. I am suprised we haven't lost more of them. Even one, however, hurts. God bless these guys.

[ican'tbelieveit]

more more more... 10000 to 1.

[ApesForEvolution]

That sucks. Prayers for those surviving them. 1,000,000 of Sodom's soldiers aren't worth one of our soldiers. And, that would be the way that I would personally fight a war in the ME.

[ez]

There, Mr.DeGenova, you got your first Mogadishu. Are you happy now?

[StockJock]

It's actually very easy to shoot down a chopper....just a couple of good shots in the blades or engine. Are we talking a few rifle shots or rocket powered grenade? If a kid with a 22 can take down a combat chopper I'm surprized we havn't had more trouble.

[wardaddy]

RIP for the brave,

[The Duke]

Any radar person will tell you that the helicoptor is the next weapons system destined for the ashheap of history. Two words ... "doppler effect"...

[Republic of Texas]

Or the pilots.

[JohnHuang2]

More...

---

U.S. Helicopter Shot Down, Killing 7
April 2, 2003


A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq Wednesday, killing seven of the 11 soldiers aboard, Pentagon officials said.

The helicopter was downed by small-arms fire near Karbala, the site of fierce fighting between the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and Iraqi troops, including Republican Guard forces.

The other four soldiers on board the Black Hawk were wounded and rescued, officials said.

The report comes on a day of major progress for coalition forces. The U.S. military said two key Republican Guard divisions protecting Baghdad have been beaten so badly, they're "no longer credible forces."

The Iraqis were pummeled by U.S. forces now closing in on the capital from two sides: To the east, the advancing Marines are now within 30 miles of the city's outskirts; to the west, the Army's Third Infantry has lead elements within 20 miles of Iraq's capital.

Even so, the Pentagon warned of "a very difficult fight ahead in Baghdad. We are not expecting to drive into Baghdad suddenly and seize it," Maj. Gen. Stanley McChrystal told a Pentagon news conference.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

DAMN

DAMN

DAMN

[mystery-ak]

My hubby, 1sgt Army Aviation(Chinooks) is a 1sgt for two aviation co's....he has told me numerous times how easy it is to shoot down a chooper....even a handgun or rifle targeted at the right place can bring them down.

[John H K]

I have wondered why these choppers don't have a little more armor or aren't a little harder to bring down
Put armor on a Blackhawk and then you can barely carry anything. And carrying stuff is the whole reason the Blackhawk exists. Apaches have a lot more armor, but even they can be taken down by small arms fire with a lucky shot. There's a limit to how much you can armor something designed to fly.

[montag813]

The Iraqis have been watching "Black Hawk Down" and learned some tactics.

There were reports last week that the book was being distributed and sent to frontline Iraqi commanders for tactical use. This may be the first result. The book has quite a bit of detail about the weaknesses (there are many) of this particular craft.

[HiJinx]

And you're with us, appearing strong...
I don't know how you do it...
Special prayers go up for you and your men tonight.

[MattGarrett]

Lord, guard and guide the men fly

Through the great spaces in the sky.

Be with them always in the air,

In darkening storms or sunlight fair;

Oh, hear us when we lift our prayer,

For those in peril in the air!

Mary C. D. Hamilton (1915)

[algol]

There's a limit to how much you can armor something designed to fly.

Unless it's an A-10. But that's not the Blackhawk's role.

Damn.