Helicopter with Kerry, Biden and Hagel on board makes emergency landing in Afghanistan

[rox63]

Oh shit... :scared:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2903576

[karynnj]

1. They are safe

It was this morning - MSNBC

[ProSense]

2. Thank you!

Whew!

[beachmom]

4. Thanks, Karynnj. Just saw this on GDP, too, and was worried. Does anyone

have any details?

Edit: oh, I just read it was a snowstorm. Double phew.

[karynnj]

5. All MSNBC said was that they landed due to snow

but then continued to Bagram where they were suppose to go. They said it was this morning.

[Inuca]

6. What a scare!

Just heard the breaking news on MSNBC a few minutes ago. Snowstorm. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

"There were no injuries and all members of the traveling party were safely transported to their destination at Bagram Air Base," she said"

[Inuca]

3. The three of us posted at the same time

prayers, fingers crossed, and looking for news. There do not seem to be any at this time

[karynnj]

7. I was just glad that it was on MSNBC as soon as I read it on GD-P

That was not a good thing to hear.

[beachmom]

8. MSNBC article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23279522/

Senators’ emergency landing in Afghanistan

Kerry, Biden, Hagel all safe; snowstorm forced unscheduled stop

WASHINGTON - A helicopter carrying three senior U.S. senators made an emergency landing in Afghanistan on Thursday.

Sens. John Kerry, Joseph Biden and Chuck Hagel were aboard the aircraft, according to Jon Summers, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Biden's press secretary, Elizabeth Alexander, said the helicopter made an unscheduled landing because of a snowstorm.

"There were no injuries and all members of the traveling party were safely transported to their destination at Bagram Air Base," she said.

The lawmakers are on a trip this week that includes stops in India, Turkey and Pakistan.

[Luftmensch067]

9. I'm so glad I didn't see this 'til just now!!!

By which time our crack team of researchers had found out the details! Thanks to all for the good news.

[Democrafty]

18. OMG, me too!

Even now, I'm a little freaked out trying to process it all!

[fedupinBushcountry]

10. I had the TV on

and saw a clip of Kerry and then heard helicopter down, and all most lost it. Why can't they say everything is OK before they scare the crap out us.

I thought he was due back yesterday, I will be glad when his feet are back on the ground here.

[karynnj]

12. I agree - even when you call friends and relatives

you speak in a weird order - "They're ok, but ........ It's not logical, chronological or how you would write it in a book - but yeah - those seconds of stress are not needed.

[Inuca]

13. Same here

saw the first breaking news on MSNBC, was not paying much attention, saw Hagel's and then Kerry's gace on the screen, and heard helicopter down. And if I remember corectly they said something like "it is not known whether it was a malfunction or they were under attack", though it seems that only a few moments later they came back and mentioned the snowstorm. Well... all's well that ends well, but I wish they were back already....

[beachmom]

14. This Kos diary seems to mirror your emotional roller coaster:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/21/152654/290/352/461360

There actually is anger at MSNBC in the thread for scaring people half to death.

Luckily, I was only scared for about 10 seconds, because I looked here, and saw Karynnj's assuring comment that everyone was safe.

[Inuca]

16. I was mad as hell

as well as soon as I saw Karyn's message. If they do not have any info, just shut the f up, don't stupidly speculate.

[TayTay]

11. All is well

no problems.

And, ahm, love ya back! (Seriously, you guys worry so. It's fine. And :hug: to all.)

[sandrakae]

15. Teresa must be having a cow.

I sure hope someone was with her when she heard the news.

[karynnj]

17. I would hope that Kerry's staff kept her informed

before it went to the news people.

[ginnyinWI]

19. that gave me a fright for a second!

On the radio earlier I heard, "three top senators..." and knew it was Kerry, Biden and Hagel. Whew!

[Inuca]

20. A bit more info

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iEmHNWLQiWOBtCelix4lsBu3LQKAD8UUU3S80 Senators in Emergency Landing

"After several hours, the senators were evacuated by American troops and returned overland to Bagram Air Base, and left for their next scheduled stop in Ankara, Turkey," the Kerry statement said. "Sen. Kerry thanks the American troops, who were terrific as always and who continue to do an incredible job in Afghanistan."

Some interesting discussions and bonding may have taken place during these hours...

[JI7]

21. i thought it was them when i read the headline

i'm so glad they are ok.

[wisteria]

22. OMG. I knew nothing about this until now. Thank goodness everyone is OK. n/t

[karynnj]

23. A more detailed article - I love Kerry's sense of humor

Kerry said the lawmakers were lucky because there happened to be a road nearby.

"We sat up there and traded stories," Kerry joked. "We were going to send Biden out to fight the Taliban with snowballs, but we didn't have to do it."

Added Kerry: "Other than getting a little cold, it was fine."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/21/AR2008022101757.html

[Luftmensch067]

24. Oh, man, that is HILARIOUS!

Now I'm imagining Biden as Hobbes the Tiger. :-)

JK is very funny!

[wisteria]

25. I am happy he can joke about it. I wonder what Teresa thought.

her first husband, Senator Heinz died in a helicopter crash.

[Inuca]

27. Funny, but

it also sent chills down my spine. Because it makes it so clear that for several hours they stood there like sitting ducks somewhere in the mountains.

[karynnj]

28. Exactly - by the time it was news they were safe and out of there

but it is clear that it was a pretty scary situation - and it was not just the snow. The military did do a fantastic job there.

[MonteLukast]

26. Whew.

I'm so glad they're all right. Loved the "fighting with snowballs". :)

[MH1]

29. That must have been scary.

Luckily for me I didn't hear about it until it was known they were safe, but even once the chopper had landed that wasn't guaranteed, until they were back at Bagram. (and heck, it seems that anywhere in Afghanistan is dicey these days)

JK's statement was wonderful, praising the pilots and the actions of the military:

"We were fine," said Kerry. "The pilots were outstanding. The military handled it superbly ... It was as clean and as smooth as any landing anywhere."

He's a class act. (I loved the snowball thing too!)