Helicopter downed in Iraq, nine dead - US sources

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An MI-8 commercial helicopter was shot down in Iraq on Thursday and all nine people aboard are believed to have been killed, U.S. military sources said.

The aircraft was travelling just north of the capital when it was hit, possibly by a rocket-propelled grenade, a source said. Reuters Television received footage of an aircraft that had been shot down in the area and which was still on fire.

The sources said three crew and six passengers, all civilians, were on board the helicopter when it was hit. Their nationalities were not known.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK139841.htm

:(

I thought that is what they said. Horrible for the families :(

Now he doesn't have to count those bodies. :(

I'm really so incredibly sorry for all of the families. Our friend's son just got back from Iraq last week, so it means that MY friends aren't the ones suffering... just someone ELSE's friends are. :cry:

That's the whole point isn't it. As long as it happens to people you don't know then it's just something written down. But they all have family and loved ones and it's not worth it. It's unnecessary suffering we inflict upon ourself.

Glad to hear that he got home. Keep him there or get him to somewhere safe.

...employees.

it goes to financial news.

edit: found the link...

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK139841.htm

Helicopter downed in Iraq, nine dead - U.S. sources
21 Apr 2005 11:15:17 GMT


BAGHDAD, April 21 (Reuters) - An Mi-8 commercial helicopter was shot down in Iraq on Thursday and all nine people aboard are believed to have been killed, U.S. military sources said.

The Russian-built aircraft was flying just north of Baghdad when it was hit, possibly by a rocket-propelled grenade, one source said. Reuters Television received footage of a helicopter that had been shot down in the area and which was still on fire.

The military sources said three crew and six passengers, all civilians, were on board. Their nationalities were not known, although it was believed that the crew may have been Bulgarian.


<snip>
"It was a contract aircraft that was not being used by the military, although the Mi-8 is also a military helicopter," the source in Iraq said.

note it was brought down by a grenade?!? Good lord, when will anyone notice that Iraq is FUBAR?

...because there were no US troops on board.

If there had been US troops on board, they would have been immune to grenades and other ground fire, and would only have been vulnerable to mechanical problems. Or the weather. Or pilot error. Or a large swarm of hostile bees. But definitely not shot down.

america has lost it's mind -- that it can keep this cretin in power and let this happen time and again.

No pun intended. Spring is here and things are getting HOT. x(

And full moon as well.

And it knows no seasons...

Military Fatalities: By Month
Period US UK Other* Total Avg Days
4-2005 29 0 0 29 1.38 21
3-2005 36 1 3 40 1.29 31
2-2005 58 0 2 60 2.14 28
1-2005 107 10 10 127 4.1 31
12-2004 72 2 3 77 2.48 31
11-2004 137 4 0 141 4.7 30
10-2004 63 2 2 67 2.16 31
9-2004 80 3 4 87 2.9 30
8-2004 66 4 5 75 2.42 31
7-2004 54 1 3 58 1.87 31
6-2004 42 1 7 50 1.67 30
5-2004 80 0 4 84 2.71 31
4-2004 135 0 5 140 4.67 30
3-2004 52 0 0 52 1.68 31
2-2004 20 1 2 23 0.79 29
1-2004 47 5 0 52 1.68 31
12-2003 40 0 8 48 1.55 31
11-2003 82 1 27 110 3.67 30
10-2003 44 1 2 47 1.52 31
9-2003 31 1 1 33 1.1 30
8-2003 35 6 2 43 1.39 31
7-2003 47 1 0 48 1.55 31
6-2003 30 6 0 36 1.2 30
5-2003 37 4 0 41 1.32 31
4-2003 74 6 0 80 2.67 30
3-2003 65 27 0 92 7.67 12
Total 1563 87 90 1740 2.28 764

http://icasualties.org/oif/

These three will never be the same if something happens to him





And neither will I.

words fail me. :hug:

I almost had a nervous breakdown in November but being mommy to a three year old sort of put the brakes on that I had to take care of her. My older son and daughter are very afraid and it has affected them deeply.

I don't know what I'm going to do once he ships over. But I can guarantee you this if anything happens to my son I am sticking my face in front of any and every camera and I will be hound Bush and his gang of thieves. I will never go quietly if my child is hurt for their profit.

You have a beautiful family and you will find strength in each other, I promise!

peace,
lc

and your family. If only I could believe that your son were being well served by this adminstration. We will keep working and agitating to keep them as well protected as possible and to bring them home sooner, rather than later.

Don't know what to say after seeing your granddaughter. She is gorgeous. She needs the best father in the world. Let's hope that her dad will return soon.

Good luck and lots of strength for this difficult period.

She and my oldest are 20 years apart. Not bad for an "OLD" Lady. ::P:

Get her brother home safe, though. That girl needs all the love in the world growing up and it sounds like you have an incredible family.

Lots of love :loveya:

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you until he returns safely home.

:hug:

thoughts and prayers for the safety of your son and happiness of your lovely family.

I hope you never find out what its like.

A video grab shows the wreckage of a Russian-built commercial helicopter in Baghdad, April 21, 2005. A Russian-built commercial helicopter was shot down north of Baghdad on Thursday and all nine people aboard were believed to have been killed, U.S. military sources said. REUTERS/Reuters TV

:(

and keep saying over and over...Commercial Airline. :eyes:

they get nowhere near declaring the nationality of the 6 dead Americans, as if that was some sort of mystery while 3 Bulgarians was common knowledge. Media is a weapon, pointed at all of our heads.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=1&u=/ap/20050421/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_050421104530

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Six Americans were among nine people killed when a commercial helicopter went down north of the Iraqi capital Thursday, a U.S. Embassy official in Baghdad said.

Does seem they are blackwater "contractors".

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/04/21/iraq.main/index.html

I hate mercenaries. US needs anti-mercenary laws.

Normally, the Pentagon does not release information about hostile actions bringing down heli's. They usually say "mechanical failure", or "unknown causes", or "cause is still being investigated".

I believe they do not want Americans knowing that the Iraqis are taking down heli's worth around $30 million apiece (correct? or was it $3 million). Either way, it doesn't look good.

We have lost A LOT of heli's. I'm seriously considering putting together some kind of a statistical report for the DU about it. I know several people have posted that the majority of these downings have been enemy fire.

What can we assume from this? That Russia is helping the Iraqis, or someone else assisting them? Either way, the moment a US troop sets foot in a heli, he's gambling with his life.

probably owned by the Bulgarian contingent in Iraq.

Also I was surprised that they admitted the bit about using helicopters because the roads aren't safe.Usually that sort of thing is omitted,after all,it's safer there now right?Mission accomplished?Freedom is on the march?:patriot:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/home/main100.shtml


The crew of three Bulgarians were also killed north of Baghdad when missile fire downed the civilian helicopter under contract to the Defense Department. Many Americans are using helicopters in Iraq because it's safer than driving. More...

carries some risks

A video grab shows the wreckage of a Russian-built commercial helicopter in Baghdad, April 21, 2005. The helicopter was shot down north of Baghdad on Thursday and all nine people aboard were believed to have been killed, U.S. military sources said. The attack, believed to be the first downing of a civilian aircraft in Iraq, comes amid a surge in guerrilla violence and puts further pressure on leaders struggling to form a government nearly three months after elections. Photo by Reuters (Handout)

No one is safe in Iraq.

military helicopters that go down it's because of 'engine failure' or 'mechanical difficulties'.

Based on the earlier Fallujah killings of Blackwater mercenaries, Bush will stop at nothing to avenge Blackwater Inc. These are people he actually cares about, a very select group (the Blackwater stockholders, I mean). This could cut into profit margins.

No I won't post the Barbecue photo !!!!!

when's america gon' wake up?

Helicopter 'downed' near Baghdad

Thursday, 21 April, 2005, 17:16 GMT 18:16 UK

A commercial helicopter has crashed about 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, killing all 11 people on board. The Bulgarian defence ministry said the Russian-built MI-8 aircraft had been brought down by a missile attack.

Those who died were six US security contractors, three Bulgarian crew members and two guards - who were reportedly from the Philippines. Insurgents have shot down several US military helicopters since the US-led invasion of Iraq.

The helicopter was owned by a Bulgarian company, Heli Air, and chartered by SkyLink, a North American company. SkyLink said it had been flying to Tikrit, north of Baghdad. TV footage showed the burning wreckage of the aircraft in a barren area.

(more at link above)

No tears shed for $2000.00 a day mercenaries.

Most of these guys left the military to work these jobs because they pay a lot better and, either way, they're in Iraq. Can't say I blame them. It's not the military's fault they've been sent to die in the desert for no damn reason.

Mercs have the choice they made the choice and are there by choice our military however is just following orders! How do you think our military men and women feel knowing that people over there are doing essentially the same job, for 100 times the pay our service people are getting?? This is wrong no matter how you look at it!

Who kill indiscriminately and are bound by only THE RULE OF THE JUNGLE.

Ie: The STRONG MAKE UP THEIR OWN RULES.

About it! They don't specifically say they kill civilians, but a lot of times you'll get posts where they brag they "sprayed off a few hundred rounds" in the middle of the night after getting shot at from a nearby building, or after a roadside bomb explodes. Of course, they can't see exactly WHICH building the fire came from, so they spray indiscriminately.

In the middle of the night.

In residential Iraqi neighborhoods.

And they think this is fun as hell.

It's like they've never heard of stories of stray bullets killing children in US ghettos. And then they wonder why the local Iraqis don't like them....

and they are all men, not a woman among them which tells you something about their work. The articles were in RollingStone and another in MotherJones. They both touched on the facts that the majority are ex-military Or military wannabes who happen to be very good with automatic weapons. They are not in it for patriotism, they are in it for 2 things, the US Tax $$$ and the enjoyment of killing period.

They drive around Baghdad, this was before it became hell on earth, with their huge weapons sticking out the windows of their SUVs frightening and intimidating every person in their paths. No wonder they have become targets.



I can only imagine the resentment towards these thugs from our Soldiers. They are paid at least three times as much for the same job, with better equipment and no accountability for their actions.
They also made the choice to play Rambo.

"Most of these guys left the military to work these jobs because they pay a lot better"

vs.

"It's not the military's fault they've been sent to die in the desert for no damn reason"

Don't confuse the two issues in an attempt to wrap mercenaries in some sort of patriotic dispensation from individual responsibility.

Security contractors are hired guns, paid killers, sent to put down Iraqis who continue to resist our invasion and occupation of their land.

It certainly is our fault that our soldiers are killing Iraqis. Iraq did nothing to warrant the hell we have visited upon them. We, our republic, such as it is, chose this course of action and we are responsible for what we have done and what we continue to do.

You know you are going to Iraq. This is a given. Now you can either a) get paid a little for it. or b) get paid a lot for it. What do you do?

Moreover, what job do you expect a Navy SEAL to take once he's out of Spec Ops? Gardener?

At the end of the day, the only reason these people are over there is because the Bush administration made it possible. I don't blame them for being there at all. It's more their choice than it would be if they were still contracted with the armed forces, but it's still not a can of worms they opened up. It's Bush and his people who did this.

And to gloat over their deaths by posthumously labeling them as "war criminals" even when you have no idea who they were or what they did is ignorant at best and reprehensible at worst. You want to call someone a war criminal, look in the White House. At least you know who's sitting there.

and Ex-Special Opps people is, WE (the U.S. Tax Payers) are paying something like 1/2 million Dollars to train these Special Opps troops who, once their contract with the U.S. Government runs out, they turn around and start or join a group of "Private Contractors."

Not only are these guys stealing from the Iraqi People (by getting these $500,000-$1,000,000.00 a year jobs), but now the Navy or Army, etc., has to now spend ANOTHER 1/2 Million dollars to replace these "Private Contractors."

Gee that is too bad. I'm so sorry that the only thing an ex navy seal is good for (in your opinion) is either weeding gardens or killing Iraqis. That, my friend is no excuse.

It is that simple. A Navy SEAL can go back to college and learn some other skill. He (or she in a small number of cases) is free to take any job they are qualified for, including gardener. Nobody is compelled by money to take a particular job, especially if it is morally reprehensible.

riding 70 year-old Iraqi women around like a donkey isn't really a marketable skill.

Careers of the future may be very odd, indeed, if the neo-cons have their way.

mercenaries is one of the worst of professions. sponsored and paid criminality, pure and simple. even machiavelli had nothing but contempt for this 'profession' and wisely advised any leader that one uses mercenaries at your own risk and at the detriment of everything your legitimate forces fought so hard for.

my compassion stops at mercenaries and other great evils of the world. i am human, not god, and i do not take kindly to those who passive-aggressively demand from me more than i can possibly give.

ps: thanks for your comments, good to hear a sane and sarcastic voice ;) tones down the frothing at my mouth

On the subject of mercenaries, I thought the Hessians hired by King George were especially despised by the colonists during the American War of Independence. So, the extreme dislike of mercenaries by Iraqis ought to be understandable to most Americans.

...people to make up ONE mind?

You need to be more careful or you're going to get yourself into
"a world of Sh*t," as they say in the military.

Fair warning, folks here, even when making cynical remarks, are VERY pissed-off about this Iraq situation. That goes double for our Vets here, and we have a lot of them.:hippie:

came from one person, which single person contains one mind, which mind was associated with these contradictory statements about mercs: "Most of these guys left the military " and "its not the military's fault they've been sent to die in the desert".

To be fair, the other way to interpret SteppingRazor's post was that he was attempting via a rhetorical dodge to attack comments against mercenaries by claiming that they are covered by the same 'under orders' dispensation we give our soldiers. Sorry. They aren't covered, they don't get the dispensation.

Which three guys is SteppingRazor?

And you know what: screw the implied attempts at censorship. I'll speak my mind on what we are doing in Iraq and I don't care who listens or how upset they get with me, or their vet status. If I get bounced so be it, too bad for DU.

I'm a Vet and I agree with you






Our little confrontation at Nixon's convention Miami Beach 1972

That's Ron Kovic in the Chair on the right !!!!

one reply. It wasn't an "...implied attempt(s) at censorship...", I was just trying to keep a "newbie" out a firestorm of angry replys.

Excuse my warning, you're on your own.

Good luck.

If mercenaries did *jobs* that the Admin. didn't want regular Army to do, would the same Admin. want these mercenaries home alive to tell tales?

:shrug:

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

...see it, but, could you tell which country he was from? Was he one of the pilots?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/islamic_army_in_iraq_missile_fire_downs_iraq_chopper_11_dead_includes_aftermath_and_execution_video_of_surviver_Apr_21_2005.html

Warning: Graphic

Looks like they won't let it be seen due to graphic nature.

Does anyone have another link to this? Thanks.

...might poke around and see if you can find a search window and see if it's on here. Is a fairly good website, I think it's in Egypt.

I've poked around and found some of the e-mail addresses are in English on the message board.

You might even try posting there and see if anyone responds in English, I haven't tried that yet.

<http://www.ertu.org/>

It didn't want to download from my work computer, but does fine from home.

Jesus, you weren't kidding about it being graphic!

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

These guys are not exactly sweethearts....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1410810#1413413

Arab media and some OZ independent news sources are saying this helo was specifically targeted. It had on board some very important Americans. These were not Blackwater people!! The Americans thought they could get away with transporting themselves in a Russian helo!! The guerilla's don't shoot Russian helo's down without a reason! They had been tipped off!! They even brought a camera crew to film it! Including the slaughter of the only survivor. I have been told by an extremely reliable source that the guerilla's have taken the "gloves off". They have had enough of American "atrocities" and are prepared to slaughter Americans in cold blood as viciously and violently as possible. The young lad heading out to Iraq in July, is about to enter a world he never dreamed about. Please prepare him properly. No freedom and democracy shit! He's about to come face to face with men and women who hate him and want to kill him! I know this sounds terrible, but from my sources who have fought in Iraq and survived this is "no picnic"!!!! It is getting worse!

first six then nine, now eleven. The newest article says the mercs were protecting diplomats! Hmmm, you may be on to something there.

should check out the article I posted at this link:
<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=120751&mesg_id=120751>

It's written by a Democratic U.S. Congressman, who just returned from a fact finding trip to Iraq.