"1 dead as US copter crashes in Iraq" by David Rising, Associated Press | September 21, 2009
BAGHDAD - A Black Hawk helicopter crashed at a major American air base in Iraq, killing one US service member and injuring 12 others, the military said yesterday.
The UH-60 Black Hawk went down Saturday night at the Balad Air Base, about 50 miles north of Baghdad. The military said the cause of the crash was under investigation and gave no other details. The helicopter went down on a night of high winds that tore through the area, whipping up a fierce sandstorm that was followed by thunder, lightning, and rain....
It was not clear what mission the Black Hawk was on when it went down, but the US military relies heavily on helicopters to ferry troops, dignitaries, and supplies to avoid the threat of ambushes and roadside bombs. The Balad Air Base was originally a Saddam Hussein-era airfield. It was seized by American forces in the early days of the 2003 invasion and has since grown to be one of the largest in Iraq. It is now home to more than 20,000 US forces and provides air power, logistics, and counterterrorism support, as well as training for Iraqi security forces.
So when they coming out?
--more--"
Also see: Occupation Iraq: U.S. Training Terrorists
We are still sending troops TO Iraq?
WTF?
