Planning Seen in Iraqi Attacks on U.S. Copters (NYT)

Planning Seen in Iraqi Attacks on U.S. Copters

By MICHAEL R. GORDON and DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: February 18, 2007

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 — Documents captured from Iraqi insurgents indicate that some
of the recent fatal attacks against American helicopters are the result of a carefully
planned strategy to focus on downing coalition aircraft, one that American officials
say has been carried out by mounting coordinated assaults with machine guns, rockets
and surface-to-air missiles.

The documents, which are said to have been drafted by Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, show
that the militants were preparing to “concentrate on the air force.” The contents
of the documents are described in an American intelligence report that was reviewed
by The New York Times. Seized near Baghdad, the documents reflected the insurgents’
military preparations from late last year, including plans for attacking aircraft
using a variety of weapons.

Officials say they are a fresh indication that the United States is facing an array of
“adaptive” adversaries in Iraq, foes who are likely to step up their attacks as American
forces expand their efforts to secure Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.

-snip-

The intelligence report supports the concerns expressed by an American general this
month that militants were adapting their tactics in an effort to step up attacks against
helicopters. From December to January, the number of antiaircraft attacks rose by 17
percent, according to an American military report.

-snip-