U.S. Copter Is Downed in Iraq, Killing 15 and Wounding 21 [NYT: MISSILE]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/02/international/middleeast/02CND-IRAQ.html?ex=1068440400&en=d2f904f41fb9f00f&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
U.S. Copter Is Downed in Iraq, Killing 15 and Wounding 21


By ALEX BERENSON

Published: November 2, 2003


ALLUJA, Iraq, Nov. 2 — An American Chinook helicopter crashed here today, killing 15 soldiers and wounding 21 others. It was the deadliest single incident for Americans since the United States invaded Iraq in March.

The helicopter was hit by a missile and exploded in midair, several witnesses in this farming community 40 miles west of Baghdad said, in an area where anti-American sentiment is high. A second explosion followed when the helicopter hit the ground, they said. Another missile narrowly missed a second Chinook, the witnesses said. Their accounts matched descriptions of a shoulder fired missile.

The United States military said it could not confirm that a missile caused the crash.

Guerrillas fired the missiles from a heavy grove of palm trees a few hundred yards north of the crash site, the witnesses said.

The site of the crash is a farming community about five miles southwest of Falluja, a city where anti-American sentiment is high and residents clash almost every day with American soldiers. In a separate attack, an American convoy was bombed today in Falluja, destroying at least one armored vehicle.

<snip>

I suppose only fifteen casualties in that circumstance is a blessing. I hope Bush figures out how to get us out of Iraq before this becomes more common place.

...of some DUers. Sometimes you can't even tell where the joke leaves off and the tragedy begins.

this part: "Another missile narrowly missed a second Chinook, the witnesses said."

Previous reports implied that the second missile was aimed at the same Chinook. Looks as if some were lucky today -- those in the other choppers.

... at the same time the helicopter crashed.

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=195719

(Whether or not a missile is confirmed is a minor part of the story.) I'm locking this thread. Interested DUers are welcome to continue discussing this in the referenced thread.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
TahitiNut - DU moderator