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Post by armamentdawg on Aug 6, 2011 4:25:59 GMT -6
Just got word of a possible shootdown of a CH-47 in Afghanistan. No confirmation of fatalities as of yet, but estimated at three right now. Families have not been notified yet which is why Im not posting the Unit just yet.
Prayers to their families.
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Post by armamentdawg on Aug 6, 2011 4:36:23 GMT -6
This was just posted on yahoo 5 min ago news.yahoo.com/afghan-president-31-americans-killed-crash-093236195.html31 Special operators killed. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A helicopter crash in Afghanistan's eastern Wardak province killed 31 U.S. special operation troops and seven Afghan soldiers, the country's president said Saturday. It was the highest number of American casualties recorded in a single incident in the decade-long war. President Hamid Karzai sent his condolences to President Barack Obama, according to a statement issued by his office. "A NATO helicopter crashed last night in Wardak province," Karzai said in the statement, adding that 31 American special operations troops were killed. "President Karzai expressed his deep condolences because of this incident and expressed his sympathy to Barack Obama." The Taliban claimed to have brought the helicopter down with a rocket attack, but they have been known to make exaggerated claims in the past. NATO confirmed the overnight crash and said there "was enemy activity in the area." But it said it was still investigating the cause. The alliance was conducting a recovery operation at the site, it said, without releasing details or a casualty figure. "We are aware of an incident involving a helicopter in eastern Afghanistan," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Brockhoff, a NATO spokesman. "We are in the process of accessing the facts." The helicopter was a twin-rotor Chinook, which are used for transport, said an official at NATO headquarters in Brussels, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. The helicopter crashed in the Sayd Abad district of Wardak province, said a provincial government spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid. The volatile region borders the province of Kabul where the Afghan capital is located and is known for its strong Taliban presence. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that NATO had attacked a house in Sayd Abad where insurgents were gathering Friday night, killing eight fighters. The Taliban then downed the helicopter. he said. |
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Post by Blackcat 714 on Aug 6, 2011 11:19:03 GMT -6
I see some reference in an NBC article on it being a Nightstalker bird. Any word yet on the unit?
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Post by toolrat on Aug 6, 2011 19:30:56 GMT -6
I see some reference in an NBC article on it being a Nightstalker bird. Any word yet on the unit? Fox News reported earlier this evening that is was NOT a 160th SOAR Bird. Of course they reported that the task force normally conducts the aviation side of the spec ops mission, but "sources" confirmed that this was a standard CH-47, not an MH. |
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Post by armamentdawg on Aug 7, 2011 3:56:07 GMT -6
Its a NG CH-47. I have names of the aircrew not yet listed on here, but I dont want to post in case their families havent been notified
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Post by Robert on Aug 7, 2011 17:28:49 GMT -6
It is actually an Army Reserve aircraft.
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Post by Robert on Aug 8, 2011 21:13:25 GMT -6
The aircraft belongs to B Co 7/158th USAR.
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Post by OldHUEYPilot on Aug 9, 2011 17:51:10 GMT -6
Why would a Spec. Ops misison with all these Special Team members be flown at night, in an older AC that belonged to a Reserve Unit and with a mixed Reserve and Guard crew? Don't want to take anything from these Reserve and Guard aviators, but did they have an opportunity to train like the normal Spec. Ops. aviation crews?
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Post by ApacheGunner06 on Aug 9, 2011 20:08:39 GMT -6
To answer the question above, it's not uncommon in the wars we are currently fighting that there is a shortage of aviation assets in today's War on Terrorism. A quick search showed numerous articles discussing this issue, the most compelling can be found here: www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=45139&oref=todaysnewsSpeaking from some personal experience, operators are turning to more conventional assets for assistance when they are short of what they are allotted on a normal basis. Additionally, considering the story behind the events and the fact that the CH-47 was lifting in reinforcements for Soldiers pinned down in a firefight, this may have been the original contingency or could quite possibly have been a last ditch effort to scramble assets. As far as why SEALS were the reinforcement, again, speaking from experience, all Soldiers come running to aid our comrades that are in trouble. Hope this answers your question. -AG06 |
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Post by FlyArmy on Aug 10, 2011 6:44:33 GMT -6
First of all, the Aircraft belonged to B Co 7/158th Avn Regt out of Olathe KS. That's whose flag it falls under anyway. Not to take away from the Nebraska/Colorado guys. Terrible loss on their part as well. Just setting fact straight.
Secondly, yes, they have plenty of training dealing with these types of missions. One of two things that particular unit specializes in. it wasn't a last minute scramble or a contingency, it was their mission from the start and has been all along. This isn't the unit's first rotation into this theater nor is it their first time running these kinds of ops. Just a lucky shot in the dark on the Taliban's part and bad luck on ours.
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Post by OldHUEYPilot on Aug 10, 2011 7:25:56 GMT -6
Appreciate the info from everyone. I was curious as to if these AR and NG aviators were put in a tough situation to take over for regular spec. ops. ACs and crews that, from what I understand, do some continual intensive training. Things like this have to be incredibly hard on everyone. I am not directly related or involved, but my heart aches for these families. I am so proud of our service men and women and their, and their families, tremendous sacrifice.
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