US Helicopter Crashes in Haditha in Eastern Iraq

[DoYouEverWonder]

Breaking news on al Jazeera. No other info available yet.

Wednesday 25 February 2004

http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage

[Ilsa]

1. Said they hit an electrical wire. (al Jazeera)

no word on casualties yet.

[0007]

2. That'll work

[lebkuchen]

4. We're in the midst of "the largest rotation in history."

The WH/DoD wear that label as a badge of honor, and it WILL be a success, by god, no matter what it takes, lying, even.

[jenk]

10. sure, in a country that has no electricity

[Columbia]

17. Of course there is electricity

More evenly distributed now though.

[DeaconBlues]

3. It makes its way into a Western news source

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20040225/ts_nm/iraq_helicopter_dc&e=1&ncid=1480

A U.S. Kiowa reconnaissance helicopter crashed in western Iraq (news - web sites) Wednesday, killing the two crew members on board, a U.S. Army spokesman said....


RIP, troops

[Ilsa]

5. Oh shit.

Go%%ammit. I'm so sick of this, and I'm just on the periphery this time (my bro was in PGWI). Outside of members here at DU, I don't think I know anyone personally with such high stakes in George's folly. We have some local NG members there, but I don't know any of them.

I can remember what it was like, though. I remember the constant worry. Doing mindless stupid shit because I was so absorbed by my brother's situation. Difficulties staying on task at work (thank goodness I wasn't a nurse then). And my temper was really short.

So I went back to work one day and started a company-wide support group. Short, simple rules. Just a place where people could meet and hug each other and share information, give one another hope.

[saigon68]

21. "BRING EM ON" shouted CHIMPANZEE McSHRUB

And bring it on the resistance did.

"Non-hostile casualties, no problem", said Lt Gen Sanchez (war hero)

"My son is dead", cried the New Gold star mother.

"Nothing to see here", said the Faux news cameraman.

"Pass the gin", said Dick Cheney at the Fundraising cocktail party.

"Anyone------ add what you want", growled Saigon68

[m-jean03]

22. "Pass the Ambien...

...and a coupla more packs of cigarettes" mutter the families of the deployed.

Hey, what do you know? Long term stress = good for Big Tobacco. Among aforementioned population, how many are gonna quit smoking now, hmm?

Thanks again Saigon68 for your gift of blunt irony and outrage

[pippin]

6. that brings the deaths to 549

20 this month. This can't go on!

[jeffsurfus]

13. Not only that...

It's 410 dead since Bush declared "mission accomplished" and 105 dead since Saddam was captured.

[Mari333]

7. Sistani has issued an Infitada if the troops arent out by June30th

and Bremer keeps mouthing off his agenda and the US policy keeps pushing the date for Iraqi elections..
Yet, as our Michael is standing over there with a gun in his hand in front of a Baghdad prison, we see NOTHING on the TV but Mel Gibosns fucking movie..Nothing about Sistani and a possible Infitada against the troops, which is Exactly what will happen if we dont get them home...civil war is about to erupt and NOT ONE MEDIA OUTLET ON TV SAYS A DAMNED THING
I feel helpless and angry. All I can do is keep calling and writing and yelling...people dont seem to care that the troops on the ground are constant targets, and it will get worse..its being hidden from the public, and its being ignored to keep the US public from seeing it..out of sight out of mind..
some of us cant keep it out of our minds.

[catmandu57]

8. Yep, we're about to get bit on the ass HARD

all anyone seems to care about is a movie, and an amendment to the constitution. What comes down this summer is going to make both of these look pretty small and foolish.

The movie will fade to video, and this amendment will never see the light of day, just like the flag burning amendment, and the balanced budget amendment.

[TheDonkey]

9. Yikes that is awful news

I'm really worried about Iraq still. This is not getting better and the general public and media don't seem to mind.

[Barrett808]

11. A bit more: Two Killed As U.S. Copter Crashes in Iraq

Two Killed As U.S. Copter Crashes in Iraq

HADITHA, Iraq - An American military OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed Wednesday into a river west of Baghdad, killing the two crewmembers on board, the U.S. military and police said.

The helicopter, which carries a two-member crew, crashed about 1:50 p.m. near Haditha, 120 miles from the capital, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said. A spokesman for the U.S. command said the two were killed.

Kimmitt also said the cause of the crash had not been determined.

In Haditha, witness Emad Rasheed, 45, said two U.S. helicopters were flying over the area when a missile hit one of them. However, Kimmitt said the second helicopter reported seeing no hostile fire.

With the latest crash, the U.S. military has lost 15 helicopters since the occupation began in May — most to hostile fire. At least 60 Americans have been killed in the crashes.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20040225/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_helicopter_crash_2

[BraveDave]

15. He was a friend of mine...

[Ripley]

16. If what you say is true...

1. Why are you receiving notes from his subordinates in a war zone?
2. Why would they give you classified info re: "enemies" well before the press manages to get it?
3. What hot zone?
4. Why would anyone in Iraq be in a state of panic? They are the best fighting men and women in the whole Universe, didn't you know?
5. What's cat fondue?

:dunce:

[BraveDave]

18. I'm afraid I don't understand.

If this an attempt at humor. It is a poor one. The LtCMD was my contact person for care packages going to his unit. I don't see where any of the info his buddy sent me is "classified," but merely privileged information.

[Ripley]

19. Sorry, but I thought you were the one using tasteless humor.

It seemed rather sick to me to present such first-hand knowledge of a friend's death in Iraq that just happened today.

I just find it odd that family members I know who have lost relatives over there don't get this kind of "privy" info within hours of such a disaster. I'm curious why they chose to let you know the details?

My apologies if indeed you are serious and lost a friend today.

[BraveDave]

20. Don't sweat it.

I found it troubling that I received the news so quickly. I'm sure his buddy had the best of intentions though.

[DoYouEverWonder]

23. Sorry to hear about your friend

It just makes this story even worse. What a lousy way to meet someone new on DU.

[leftchick]

25. my sincere sympathies....

a very sad way to be welcomed to DU but welcome...

[leftynyc]

24. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

n/t

[dArKeR]

12. U.S. Chopper Down In Iraq - CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/24/iraq/main541815.shtml

[Ilsa]

14. NPR was reporting that the General over there said

it was an aircraft malfunction. (Yeah. Right. That's the ticket. Nothing to do with hostile fire or insurgents or a civil war.)

[pinniped]

26. There are reports that a missile was seen streaking towards it.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040226/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_10