Military: Malfunction likely caused fatal crash

[unhappycamper]

Military: Malfunction likely caused fatal crash
By Kim Gamel - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Sep 19, 2008 18:58:41 EDT

BAGHDAD — A U.S. military official said a mechanical problem appeared to be the reason for a helicopter crash Thursday that killed seven American soldiers in Iraq’s southern desert, the deadliest such incident in Iraq in more than a year.

The CH-47 Chinook was flying with three other choppers from Kuwait when it went down shortly after midnight about 60 miles west of Basra, the military said.

The U.S. military relies heavily on helicopters to ferry troops, dignitaries and supplies to avoid the threat of ambushes and roadside bombs, and Thursday’s crash highlighted the non-combat dangers facing Americans in Iraq.

In all, 70 U.S. helicopters have gone down since the war started in March 2003, according to military figures. Of those, 36 were confirmed to have been shot down.

Maj. John Hall, a military spokesman in Baghdad, said hostile fire had been ruled out in Thursday’s crash and the three other helicopters suffered no damage.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_chinookcrash_091808/%2e

[peace13]

1. I have not seen the names of the soldiers who gave their lives in this accident!

How long does it take? These faceless, nameless folks died in an accident ...for our freedom. Too sad.

[unhappycamper]

2. From icasualties.org:

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12224

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Sept. 18 when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter they were in went down in the vicinity of Tallil, Iraq.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Corry A. Edwards, 38, of Kennedale, Texas, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, Grand Prairie, Texas.

Sgt. Daniel M. Eshbaugh, 43, of Norman, Okla., who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard, Lexington, Okla.

Sgt. Anthony L. Mason, 37, of Springtown, Texas, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, Grand Prairie, Texas.

1st Sgt. Julio C. Ordonez, 54, of San Antonio, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, Grand Prairie, Texas.

Chief Warrant Officer Brady J. Rudolf, 37, of Oklahoma City, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard, Lexington, Okla.

Cpl. Michael E. Thompson, 23, of Harrah, Okla., who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard, Lexington, Okla.

1st Lt. Robert Vallejo II, 28, of Richland Hills, Texas, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, Grand Prairie, Texas.

[peace13]

3. Thank you for that, that is so sad.

My step sister is 42, been in the Air Force since she was 18 and due to retire in May of 2009. She shipped out this month for Iraq and she is somewhere between South Carolina and Balad, Iraq. It stops your heart when you hear about these crashes. Look at the ages of these folks. It is unbelievable. Thank you for this. Peace, Kim