Transport Plane Hit by Small Arms Fire

[TrueAmerican]

Said the C130 landed safely and wounded were being transported for medical treatment.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/breaking_news/9026332.htm?1c

Transport Plane Hit by Small Arms Fire

CHRIS TOMLINSON

Associated Press


BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane was hit by small arms fire after taking off Sunday from Baghdad, wounding an unknown number of people and forcing the plane to return to the airport, U.S. officials said.

The aircraft took off at approximately 5:30 p.m. and was struck about 12 miles west of the airport, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

The aircraft returned to Baghdad airport and landed safely. Ambulances transported the wounded to hospital.

(more0

[skooooo]

1. Whatsa C130:?

[TrueAmerican]

2. C-130 is

a Cargo aircraft. Carries around 40 PAX with gear.

[hatrack]

3. Big honkin' transport aircraft nt

.

[Cooley Hurd]

6. C-130 is a medium sized transport built by Lockheed...

This particular one is in the service of the Israeli Air Force...

[Mika]

4. It was hit 12 miles out by small arms fire?

How high can a fully loaded C-130 climb in 12 miles?

This sounds "funny".

[JohnyCanuck]

9. I agree.

You would think by 12 miles out assuming no engine problems, not loaded over gross etc, they'd be at least between 6000 or 8000 ft. or so or probably higher. Way to high to be hit by small arms fire at any rate.

This web page says initial rate of climb for a C130 is 2100/ft per min. Now that's probably a generic C130 under optimum conditions at sea level. The hot temps in Baghdad would adversely affect the rate of climb, so let's assume a 1500 ft/min rate of climb. Allowing 4 to 5 minutes to cover the 12 miles while climbing out would give an altititude of approx 6000 to 8000 ft.

Unless as another poster mentioned this was the gunship model or was a standard C130 on some type of special ops assignment that required low flight. I imagine any pilot taking off out of Baghdad international has the balls to the wall and is looking to put as much space between him/herself and the ground in as short a period of time as possible.

[Mika]

10. Thanks. But, even if it was a gunship C-130....

Even if it was a gunship c-130 it wouldn't be flying so low as to be taken down by small arms fire during a mission. I thought that the cannons and gattling guns are computer guided on the gunship c-130's for accuracy and safety (as in they can fly out of small arms reach).

:shrug:

[Jacobin]

15. That was the first thing I thought

In 12 miles, especially taking off from Baghdad airport, the plane would have gained as much altitude as possible, and no small arms would have been able to effectively hit that plane at 8,000 feet.

Our media is soooo lame. The story is either wrong about the 12 miles or the type of weaponry used to shoot at the plane.

[Wilber_Stool]

5. Not small arms.

Unless it was only about 100 feet up. These things are almost as tough as a DC-3.

[TrueAmerican]

7. It could be a gun ship version

They could of been on a mission to kill some "bad guys". So that would explain how low they were.

[Wilber_Stool]

8. Good point.

Now, watch this drive.

[Barrett808]

11. U.S. Transport Plane Hit in Iraq; 1 Dead

U.S. Transport Plane Hit in Iraq; 1 Dead
By CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane was hit by small arms fire after taking off Sunday from Baghdad, killing at least one person and forcing the plane to return to the airport, U.S. officials said.

The aircraft took off at approximately 5:30 p.m. and was struck about 12 miles west of the airport, the officials said on condition of anonymity. It returned to Baghdad International Airport and landed safely.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, coalition deputy operations chief, confirmed the attack but did not specify the exact location. Kimmitt told AP that "one of the personnel" aboard was wounded and later died. He did not say how many people were on the plane.

Pilots have in the past reported ground fire near the airport, located on the capital's western edge.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040627/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_attack&cid=540&ncid=1480

[Red State Rebel]

12. My brother in law is over there now and he flies C130's...

I better call my sister and see if she has heard anything...

[watercolors]

13. Oh my, that is scary

our grandson left Iraq wed. about 6:oo pm, he was suppose to fly at 4:00 but said he had to put on "body armor", code for fighting going on, he was delayed. He is air force.
He arrived in Baltamore fri noon, mom and dad drove all night from GA. to greet him! He called us last night and we just cried for joy that he is home safe. He does not care to go back, said it is worse than we can imagine. We will all gather in a few weeks in Ga. for a reuion, and to meet his fiancee, and celebrate our 50th anniversary. We put it off untill Charles could be part of it. Now it will be a very happy time for all!

[Mika]

14. I'm glad your grandson is OK

Congrats on your 50th and your grandkid's safe return.