Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2010 7:07:32 GMT -6
11 U.S. troops injured in helicopter crash
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — An Army helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from a forward operating base in Zabul province, injuring 11 U.S. and two Afghan soldiers. No one died and all the troops reported their injuries as minor.
The UH-60 Blackhawk sustained heavy damage in the March 29 accident, not far from Forward Operating Base Atgar, said Sgt. Shannon Wright, an 82nd Combat Aviaition Brigade spokesman. Rescue forces flew the wounded to Forward Operating Base Lagman for treatment.
Names of the troops have not been released. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to Task Force Pegasus, Task Force Destiny and Task Force 1 Fury.
The cause of the crash is being investigated, although aviation officials here said they suspect it was a mechanical error. Taliban officials quickly took credit for the crash on a Taliban-sponsored Web site, but the aviation officials confirmed enemy action did not cause the crash.
Seven of the U.S. soldiers from the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment with Task Force 1 Fury rode in the back of the Blackhawk with three Afghan National Security Forces soldiers they are mentoring. One Afghan did not report injuries.
The four other U.S. soldiers, from Task Force Pegasus and Task Force Destiny, made up aircrew. Pegasus soldiers are from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and Destiny is from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. The 82nd is transferring authority to the 101st in Regional Command South.
Zabul province serves as a main transit point for Taliban weapons and supplies since it borders Pakistan. Task Force 1 Fury is working to sever the supply artery as well as advise the Afghan National Army.
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — An Army helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from a forward operating base in Zabul province, injuring 11 U.S. and two Afghan soldiers. No one died and all the troops reported their injuries as minor.
The UH-60 Blackhawk sustained heavy damage in the March 29 accident, not far from Forward Operating Base Atgar, said Sgt. Shannon Wright, an 82nd Combat Aviaition Brigade spokesman. Rescue forces flew the wounded to Forward Operating Base Lagman for treatment.
Names of the troops have not been released. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to Task Force Pegasus, Task Force Destiny and Task Force 1 Fury.
The cause of the crash is being investigated, although aviation officials here said they suspect it was a mechanical error. Taliban officials quickly took credit for the crash on a Taliban-sponsored Web site, but the aviation officials confirmed enemy action did not cause the crash.
Seven of the U.S. soldiers from the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment with Task Force 1 Fury rode in the back of the Blackhawk with three Afghan National Security Forces soldiers they are mentoring. One Afghan did not report injuries.
The four other U.S. soldiers, from Task Force Pegasus and Task Force Destiny, made up aircrew. Pegasus soldiers are from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and Destiny is from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. The 82nd is transferring authority to the 101st in Regional Command South.
Zabul province serves as a main transit point for Taliban weapons and supplies since it borders Pakistan. Task Force 1 Fury is working to sever the supply artery as well as advise the Afghan National Army.