Two US Helicopters Crash North of Baghad, Killing Two Soldiers

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

Just breaking, not much here yet

TWO U.S. HELICOPTERS CRASH NORTH OF BAGHDAD, KILLING TWO SOLDIER

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15571010.htm

---

TWO COALITION HELICOPTERS CRASH NEAR TAJI; KILLING TWO, WOUNDING FIVE
Sunday, 15 April 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.270.0320 / 0299

Apr. 15, 2007
Release A070415a

TWO COALITION HELICOPTERS CRASH NEAR TAJI; KILLING TWO, WOUNDING FIVE

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Two Coalition Forces members were killed and five were injured when two helicopters crashed in a rural area southwest of Taji early Sunday morning.

An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident; however, initial reports indicate it appears to be from mid-air collision and not the result of enemy fire.

The names of the soldiers killed or wounded will not be released until notification of next of kin.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.


http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11409&Itemid=128

[hang a left]

1. Is this possible??

Or are our troops in such trouble that they can't even fly over Baghdad any longer.

[John Q. Citizen]

2. It's possible, but everytime a copter is shot down the first reports discount

enemy fire.

So wait a bit and we shall see.

[xchrom]

3. when they are shot down -- they're never sure at first but when they crash

they know right away.

[maddezmom]

4. the 2 helicopters were British

TWO HELICOPTERS THAT CRASHED NORTH OF BAGHDAD WERE BRITISH, TWO
15 Apr 2007 09:46:07 GMT

TWO HELICOPTERS THAT CRASHED NORTH OF BAGHDAD WERE BRITISH, TWO DEAD - GOVT

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15128859.htm

[maddezmom]

5. Two British helicopters crash north of Baghdad

Two British helicopters crash north of Baghdad
LONDON, April 15 (Reuters) - Two British personnel died and another was seriously injured when two helicopters crashed north of Baghdad on Sunday, Britain's ministry of defence said.

"Now that next of kin have been informed, I can confirm that the two helicopters reported this morning as having crashed north of Baghdad earlier today were, in fact, both UK helicopters," Defence Secretary Des Browne said in a statement.

"Sadly, two personnel have died and one is very seriously injured. All of these were UK personnel," he said.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15128859.htm

[bemildred]

6. I don 't suppose we will find out what they were doing there. nt

[maddezmom]

9. it seemed odd to me

a bit far from their normal area of operation

[bemildred]

10. Made me wonder if the Brits are being sucked into the "surge" too.

One could also speculate that working choppers are in short supply.

Iraq is turning into a sort of giant military black hole.

[Eugene]

7. "apparent mid-air collision"

Source: BBC

Last Updated: Sunday, 15 April 2007, 11:17 GMT 12:17 UK

Two die as UK helicopters crash

Two British helicopters have crashed in an apparent mid-air collision
in Iraq, killing two military personnel and seriously injuring another.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said initial reports suggested the crash
north of Baghdad was an accident and not caused by an insurgent attack.

The Puma helicopters came down in the early hours in a rural area near
Taji, site of a large US base.

The BBC understands they were taking part in a special forces mission.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6557183.stm

[AnotherMother4Peace]

8. Thank you Maddezmom for keeping this front & center.

Rest in peace, dear soldiers, and may your families find peace.

American, British, or Iraqi - the tragedy is great. God help us.........

[Eugene]

11. U.S. helicopter makes "precautionary landing" in Mosul.

Source: Reuters

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, April 15
15 Apr 2007 19:02:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

April 15 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq as of 1850 GMT
on Sunday:

* denotes new or updated item.

* MOSUL - A U.S. military helicopter made a "precautionary landing" after it was
hit by insurgent gunfire during combat in the northern city of Mosul, the U.S.
military said. The two pilots of the OH-58D "Kiowa Warrior" helicopter were not
hurt and were recovered by a second helicopter, the military said.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15575809.htm

[bemildred]

12. SAS man and crew killed when helicopters collide in Iraq

An SAS soldier on a covert operational mission north of Baghdad was killed along with one of the air crew taking him on a flight in an RAF Puma helicopter, when two British helicopters collided late last night.

The mid-air disaster, which took place at about 11pm, occurred when the one of the helicopters flew into the other while they were conducting the same operation. Both managed to crash land a few miles north of Baghdad in an area controlled by the American military.

The Ministry of Defence said that the two who died, another who was seriously injured and three others who suffered minor injuries were all in the same Puma helicopter. No one was hurt in the second helicopter, also an RAF Puma.

An American combat rescue team in Black Hawk helicopters was the first on the scene. The dead and injured and those who survived unscathed were all picked up and taken to a US military hospital. One of those with minor injuries was later released.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1656570.ece