RAF Chinook helicopter shot down in Afghanistan in Taliban election 'spectacular'

[sabra]

Source: UK telegraph

A British Chinook helicopter has been shot down in Helmand, Afghanistan, in an attempted Taliban “spectacular” designed to overshadow the country’s make-or-break election.

Military sources confirmed that the helicopter came under attack from machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire as it took off after a supply drop near Sangin in northern Helmand.

Despite a fire in the engine, the helicopter's pilots managed to fly it more than half a mile to safety before making an emergency landing.

The four crew members were then evacuated onto another Chinook and flown away from the scene.

A Nato air strike was then called in destroy the damaged Chinook to prevent it falling into Taliban hands.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6061376/RAF-Chinook-helicopter-shot-down-in-Afghanistan-in-Taliban-election-spectacular.html

[Winterblues]

1. Pretty spectacular all right...Took some rounds and flew off to safety.

Headlines like this are the problem with today's media. Everything needs to be Spectacular or sensational. I suppose it was spectacular to the crew on that helicopter though. :shrug:

[gratuitous]

2. I think that was the word used for the Taliban's intent

The story seems to be saying that the Taliban were hoping to shoot down the helicopter as a public relations "spectacular" to influence the elections; that is, cause a spectacle.

[Winterblues]

3. Well it seems to have worked for them.

According to that article anyway. The helicopter was indeed shot down, though it did not crash and burn as most people think of when they think of a plane being shot down. It was shot up to the point it had to make an emergency landing some distance away from the action. Since they could no longer fly the helicopter and it was too dangerous to bring in recovery equipment they chose to eliminate the helicopter to keep it, with it's technology, out of enemy hands.

[OwnedByFerrets]

4. This is a good thing for the Military Industrial Complex....

they get to spend tax dollars to build another one.

Btw, if it hadnt been there, it wouldnt have been shot down.:eyes:

[Submariner]

5. This is like reading about the former Russian - Afghan war

I remember the Russians losing helicopters and troops, as we are now, before leaving Afghanistan thoroughly spent and defeated. Same old song.

I think it's time to pack up and leave that sand trap.