BAGHDAD (AP) - Pentagon video released Tuesday showed the dramatic rescue of two U.S. helicopter pilots after their aircraft went down amid insurgent fire. The military said the Kiowa helicopter was forced down by insurgents south of Baghdad on Monday and two pilots in an Apache helicopter ferried the men to safety. The two downed pilots were slightly injured.
The rescued pilots told AP Radio that their helicopter - used mostly for reconnaissance and light attack - went down near a drainage canal while insurgents were still shooting from houses nearby. The men shielded themselves by climbing into the canal, and the Apache arrived 15 minutes later.
Chief Warrant Officer Steven Cianfrini, one of the rescued airmen, said he was given one of the two seats in the Apache because he was wounded. The other rescued pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Mark Burrows, and a member of the Apache crew strapped themselves to the outside of the chopper.
``It happened so fast. I don't think we really thought about much ... just try to stay alive,'' said Cianfrini
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