Thread on US Helicopters downed in Iraq

Eighth US Helicopter crashes in one month

IRAQ: U.S. HELICOPTER DOWNED ON PATROL

Baghdad, 21 Feb. (AKI) – A US military helicopter crashed north of Baghdad on Wednesday and an insurgent group has claimed that it brought the aircraft down. The US military says that the Black Hawk helicopter made a “hard landing” and that its 9 crew and passengers has been rescued by an other chopper. Eyewitness reports carried by local and Arab media suggested the helicopter was struck by a missile near the city of Taji, 40 km from the capital and one insugent group has claimed responsibility for bringing down the aircraft. A US military spokesman says the cause of the “hard landing” was not yet clear.

In a statement posted to the Internet, the Mujahadeen Army said: “At 10 am today the mujahadeen of the Ibn Taimiya Brigade, which forms part of the Mujahadeen Army, succeeded in downing a Black Hawk helicopter of the crusader occupation forces in the area of Taji, north of Baghdad. We will give you further details of the operation. “

According to eyewitness reports the helicopter was one of two involved in patrols in a rural area close to the American base at Taji.