Post by Salem6 on Nov 2, 2003 10:19:52 GMT
An American military helicopter has been shot down in Iraq, leaving at least one dead and 20 injured.
The aircraft was one of two twin-rotor Chinook helicopters flying nearly 60 personnel from a US military base to Baghdad International Airport.
It is said to have come down near the flashpoint town of Falluja, 50 kilometres (32 miles) west of the capital.
Falluja lies within the so-called "Sunni triangle" of central Iraq - a largely Sunni Muslim area where resistance to the US-led coalition's occupation has been intense.
"We can confirm at least one death and 20 injured" Coalition spokesman.
A US military spokesman said the helicopter had been fired on with an "unknown weapon", but local Iraqis are reporting that it was hit by a surface-to-air missile.
It is understood the troops on board were due to fly abroad for rest and recreation leave.
US military officials have repeatedly warned that hundreds of surface-to-air missiles remain unaccounted for in Iraq.
Bomb kills soldier
Sunday also saw an American soldier killed by a bomb blast in Baghdad.
A US military spokesman said the soldier died in hospital after his military convoy was attacked in the early hours.
Attacks on coalition troops have intensified in the past week, reaching an average of 30 a day.
The most senior American military commander in Iraq, General Ricardo Sanchez, has described the attacks as strategically and operationally insignificant.
The BBC's Jill McGivering, in Iraq, says the surge in violence may be associated with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The planning and execution of some recent attacks has led to speculation the militants opposed to the coalition have now formed into a more cohesive, better organised force.
A senior British member of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, told the BBC that the people carrying out the attacks were a "nasty mix".
He said they were supporters of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, "imported terrorists", and criminals released from jail by the former regime before it fell.
Sunday's incidents follow an announcement by the chief US administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, that he wants to accelerate the handover of authority to Iraqis.
Eight days ago, a US Black Hawk helicopter crashed near the northern town of Tikrit after reportedly being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. One of the five crew members on board was hurt in that incident.
The Chinook, which has a crew of four, is a heavy-lift helicopter used primarily for moving troops transporting artillery.
Fact file: Chinook
[/u]
The twin-engined Chinook transport helicopter has two, three-bladed rotors, one at the front and one at the back.
It has room for 54 troops or can carry at least 25,000 lbs (11,340 kgs) of freight - more than its own empty weight - either inside, or slung underneath on up to three hooks.
The usual crew is either two pilots or a pilot and navigator, and two loaders.
It is used by both the United States Army and the Royal Air Force (among others) to move troops, artillery, ammunition, fuel and other supplies on a battlefield.
There is room inside for two Land Rovers.
Other roles include medical evacuation and search and rescue, but also such things as disaster relief and fire-fighting.
The US Army took delivery of its first Chinook in 1962. The manufacturer, Boeing, says more than 800 are currently in use around the world.
The RAF has more than 40 - the biggest fleet outside the US Army.
Armament
The aircraft have satellite navigation and an instrument landing system.
They have defensive systems to warn of approaching missiles and can fire off "chaff" and flares to try to divert them.
Chinooks can be fitted with two, M-134 six-barrelled guns and an M-60 machine gun.
There is also a more advanced US Army Special Operations Forces version with forward-looking infra-red cameras and terrain-following and avoidance radar, long-range fuel tanks and the ability to refuel in flight.
Planned modernisation should see the Chinook in service beyond 2030.
Chinook
Crew: Four
Max speed: 185mph (298 km/h)
Length: 51ft (15.5m)
Rotor span: 60ft (18.3m)
Weight: 50,000 lbs (22,680 kgs) (max.)
Range: about 300 miles
Source: Boeing, RAF, GlobalSecurity.org
The aircraft was one of two twin-rotor Chinook helicopters flying nearly 60 personnel from a US military base to Baghdad International Airport.
It is said to have come down near the flashpoint town of Falluja, 50 kilometres (32 miles) west of the capital.
Falluja lies within the so-called "Sunni triangle" of central Iraq - a largely Sunni Muslim area where resistance to the US-led coalition's occupation has been intense.
"We can confirm at least one death and 20 injured" Coalition spokesman.
A US military spokesman said the helicopter had been fired on with an "unknown weapon", but local Iraqis are reporting that it was hit by a surface-to-air missile.
It is understood the troops on board were due to fly abroad for rest and recreation leave.
US military officials have repeatedly warned that hundreds of surface-to-air missiles remain unaccounted for in Iraq.
Bomb kills soldier
Sunday also saw an American soldier killed by a bomb blast in Baghdad.
A US military spokesman said the soldier died in hospital after his military convoy was attacked in the early hours.
Attacks on coalition troops have intensified in the past week, reaching an average of 30 a day.
The most senior American military commander in Iraq, General Ricardo Sanchez, has described the attacks as strategically and operationally insignificant.
The BBC's Jill McGivering, in Iraq, says the surge in violence may be associated with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The planning and execution of some recent attacks has led to speculation the militants opposed to the coalition have now formed into a more cohesive, better organised force.
A senior British member of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, told the BBC that the people carrying out the attacks were a "nasty mix".
He said they were supporters of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, "imported terrorists", and criminals released from jail by the former regime before it fell.
Sunday's incidents follow an announcement by the chief US administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, that he wants to accelerate the handover of authority to Iraqis.
Eight days ago, a US Black Hawk helicopter crashed near the northern town of Tikrit after reportedly being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. One of the five crew members on board was hurt in that incident.
The Chinook, which has a crew of four, is a heavy-lift helicopter used primarily for moving troops transporting artillery.
Fact file: Chinook
[/u]
The twin-engined Chinook transport helicopter has two, three-bladed rotors, one at the front and one at the back.
It has room for 54 troops or can carry at least 25,000 lbs (11,340 kgs) of freight - more than its own empty weight - either inside, or slung underneath on up to three hooks.
The usual crew is either two pilots or a pilot and navigator, and two loaders.
It is used by both the United States Army and the Royal Air Force (among others) to move troops, artillery, ammunition, fuel and other supplies on a battlefield.
There is room inside for two Land Rovers.
Other roles include medical evacuation and search and rescue, but also such things as disaster relief and fire-fighting.
The US Army took delivery of its first Chinook in 1962. The manufacturer, Boeing, says more than 800 are currently in use around the world.
The RAF has more than 40 - the biggest fleet outside the US Army.
Armament
The aircraft have satellite navigation and an instrument landing system.
They have defensive systems to warn of approaching missiles and can fire off "chaff" and flares to try to divert them.
Chinooks can be fitted with two, M-134 six-barrelled guns and an M-60 machine gun.
There is also a more advanced US Army Special Operations Forces version with forward-looking infra-red cameras and terrain-following and avoidance radar, long-range fuel tanks and the ability to refuel in flight.
Planned modernisation should see the Chinook in service beyond 2030.
Chinook
Crew: Four
Max speed: 185mph (298 km/h)
Length: 51ft (15.5m)
Rotor span: 60ft (18.3m)
Weight: 50,000 lbs (22,680 kgs) (max.)
Range: about 300 miles
Source: Boeing, RAF, GlobalSecurity.org
