Iraq insurgents threaten US helicopter fleet

[ProSense]

Iraq insurgents threaten US helicopter fleet

by Bill Ickes
59 minutes ago

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Air power is crucial to US military strategy in Iraq, but the insurgents and militia groups that made the roads treacherous are now taking deadly aim at helicopters, the army's flying workhorse.

Six US helicopters have crashed in less than three weeks, at least four of which are known to have been shot down, including two nimble private choppers from the Blackwater private security group.

Twenty-seven people have died in the crashes.

"Two of the six were directly attributable to enemy fire," Army Lieutenant General Douglas Lute said on Friday in Washington.

"Another two of the six are believed to have been downed by enemy fire while these helicopters were not in contact with the enemy."

The sharp losses have forced a serious rethink by Pentagon chiefs.

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[azurnoir]

1. I have been waiting for the WH to blame

it on Iran or Iranian weapons. Seems the insurgents are developing better aim.

[yellowcanine]

2. I am surprised they haven't blamed the Democrats for downing the choppers with defeatist talk.

You know they want to.