U.S. helicopter crash kills 12 in Iraq

[converted_democrat]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/01/08/iraq.main/index.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Twelve Americans were killed when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Iraq early Sunday, the military said.

The helicopter, which was carrying a crew of four and eight passengers, was flying between bases in the north of the country, according to news releases from the U.S. military.

A search-and-rescue team found the crash site about noon (4 a.m. ET).

on edit- When is this stuff going to end? Another 12 lives gone, and for what?? Sad situation.. I feel so badly for all the families.

[Surya Gayatri]

1. Accident or insurgent attack? (eom)

[converted_democrat]

2. It doesn't say, it just says that they crashed.. n/t

[zippy890]

4. near Tal Afar -

The helicopter went down in a sparsely populated area 12km east of the town of Tal Afar shortly before midnight on Saturday.

edited to add: Tal afar is not far from the syrian border

[wellst0nev0ter]

12. Sure Glad We Pacified That Town

:eyes: *huge sigh*

[countingbluecars]

3. Does anyone know

where the congressional delegation (Obama, Bayh, Bond, and Ford) is right now in their Middle East travels? I have a very worried, sick feeling.

[converted_democrat]

6. No, I don't know.. But surely they would have said something about it if

it had been them, don't you think? I would think like that would be BIG news, and everyone would be rushing to carry it.. (I don't know anything, I'm just trying to be positive.)

[countingbluecars]

8. You make good sense.

I would feel better, though, if I knew where they were.


I am so sad for the families of those who died.

[Jeanette in FL]

10. Not unless notification of next of kin

Only then would they be able to go with the story. They would probably be in the know, but would hold the story until given the go ahead.

[Rose Siding]

9. Yesterday's article said Obama was headed to Jordan on Sunday

Jack Straw is also in Iraq.

Are Blackhawks used as transport for pols?

[sproutster]

13. How long does it take to find out the names?

A friend flies a Blackhawk and he does indeed fly pols and cols and some higher ups. I thought he had left Iraq a year ago. :( I can't share anything because it would be a betrayal, but man... When do the names come out? He is in the thick of it. God his poor family.

[murray hill farm]

5. I cannot remember who said this here...but,

a few days ago someone said...what if even 12 sodiers who died in Iraq were given the same news coverage...or even a fraction of the same coverage that has been given to the miners who died last week in the mining accident. Now...every time i hear the ongoing coverage and compasion and outrage and attention to the mining accident...i remember that...and ask again..what if?

[Surya Gayatri]

7. Can't happen...

journalists in the US are given carte blanche to go for the emotional jugular, pulling those heartstrings until they snap--after all they're not 'embedded' and there's no question of 'harming troop morale'. As we know, the more such 'newsworthy' distractions can be exploited in the US, the less public scrutiny will be focused on the monumental F--k up that is Iraq. SG

Edited for rotten spelling

[newyawker99]

11. ....

:cry: :grr: