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| Iraq |
| CH-46 Was Shot Down,Not Crashed |
| 2007-02-14 |
| BAGHDAD, Iraq - A Sea Knight helicopter that crashed last week northwest of Baghdad was shot down, the U.S. military said Wednesday, reversing earlier statements that it appeared to have been due to mechanical failure. The Marine CH-46 troop transport went down northwest of Baghdad on Feb. 7, killing all seven people on board, and an al-Qaida-linked Sunni group claimed responsibility and aired a video. Military officials initially said they believed the crash was due to mechanical failure, but the military announced Wednesday that an investigation showed the crash was "the result of anti-aircraft munitions." "Initial evidence indicated that the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter went down as a result of mechanical failure. After further investigation using all available means, the cause of the incident has been confirmed to be hostile fire," said Maj. Jeff Pool, a spokesman for the Multi National Force — West. The statement said the pilots of an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter escorting the Sea Knight did not witness the actual attack, but they saw the fire, descent and subsequent crash. The initial signs resembled fires that have occurred aboard CH-46s experiencing mechanical difficulties in the past, it added. The military also said the crash site had been cleared with explosives after the remains and equipment were removed "to ensure the enemy could yield no gain from the debris." "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these fallen service members," Pool said. "All available resources are dedicated to eliminating the threat to our aircraft so that we can continue to provide the support our ground forces." The Islamic State in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iraqi insurgent groups that includes al-Qaida in Iraq, claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter and issued an Internet video on Feb. 9 it said was proof. The group also claimed the recent downings of two other U.S. helicopters. The two-minute video showed a helicopter that appears to be a Sea Knight flying. An object trailing smoke is seen in the sky nearby, then the craft bursts into orange and red flames, with a spray of debris emerging from it. Sounds like an Iranian missle to me. At least that's what they want us to think. |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #5 What more proof do we need for the WH to show the Loony Left that we really, really, REALLY need to quit fucking around and start carpet bombing the living daylights out of any area that fires more than a cigarette lighter up. Looked to me like the crew of that helo tried to find a good spot to put it down after they realized they were hit, but initially thay may have underestimated the severity of the damage. An auto-rotation might have gotten them on the ground sooner, since it appeared in the video that the driveshaft was still intact and both heads were still in sync. If the missile hit the tailpipe, there is substantial metal between it and the hydraulic lines and flight control linkage running up the aft pylon, so there should ahve been some control authority available back there. God rest their souls, and damn those opposed to getting this over with successfully. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2007-02-14 16:56 |
| #4 It looks to me like a heat seeker as it tracks the helicopter during a banking turn. 2 missiles |
| Posted by: RD 2007-02-14 12:54 |
| #3 Ruski AAMs via Syria? |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-02-14 10:43 |
| #2 More pipe bombs near IRG compounds, please. And a pinch of explosives at several gas refineries, too. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2007-02-14 10:15 |
| #1 Link to video on Strategy Page is here. It looks to me like a heat seeker as it tracks the helicopter during a banking turn. |
| Posted by: DanNY 2007-02-14 09:02 |