A Soldiers Blog

From: spliffslips



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Army Apache Helicopter Shot Down in Iraq
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By Associated Press

June 12, 2003, 8:37 AM EDT

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter was shot down Thursday in western Iraq, apparently by hostile fire, a military statement said. It was the first military aircraft downed by ground fire since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime two months ago.

The helicopter's two crew members were not injured and were rescued almost immediately as coalition troops secured the crash site, according to a statement by the U.S. Central Command.

Two additional Apache helicopters assisted in engaging irregular forces in the vicinity of the downed aircraft, the military statement said. All helicopters involved belong to the 101st Airborne Division.

The statement did not say where the downing occurred, but U.S. troops have been meeting growing resistance from insurgents in the area north and west of Baghdad. Elements of the 101st Division were in action Thursday at a site 95 miles north of Baghdad, where the military said they were taking part in an attack on a "a terrorist training camp."

It was not immediately clear whether the downing of the Apache was connected with that operation.

Meanwhile, the Central Command said that an F-16 fighter-bomber crashed early Thursday southwest of Baghdad.

The statement said the pilot ejected safely and was rescued by ground forces. It said the cause of the incident is unknown at this time and will be investigated.

Copyright (c) 2003, The Associated Press

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This article originally appeared at:
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-iraq-us-chopper,0,1412322.story

Visit Newsday online at http://www.newsday.com

This Story has been sent to you by : spliffslips@aol.com

  Looking back, heading homeLedger-Enquirer reporter Sam Harper called Tuesday afternoon from London, on his way back to Columbus from Iraq and Kuwait.

 Harper had been with Fort Benning soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division for the past three months. He had spent the past week at Camp New York, in the Kuwaiti desert, with an advance team preparing for the 3rd Brigade's arrival from Baghdad. Harper's visa expired Tuesday. Here are excerpts from his conversation with editor Mike Burbach.  

The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time:  http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/6059413.htm  (c) 2003 Ledger-Enquirer and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.    

From: spliffslips

SOLDIER KILLED IRAQ

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U.S. Soldier Killed at Checkpoint in Iraq
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By Associated Press

June 9, 2003, 5:08 AM EDT

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A U.S. soldier was shot and killed by unidentified assailants at a checkpoint in western Iraq, a military statement said Monday.

An undetermined number of attackers pulled up late Sunday to the roadblock near the Syrian border and requested medical help for a person in the car. They then pulled pistols and shot the soldier, said a statement released by the U.S. Central Command.

Troops returned fire, killing one person and capturing a second. At least one other assailant fled in the vehicle.

The soldier's name was not released pending notification of his family.

The killing appeared to be part of an escalation of clashes between American troops and Iraqis in the central and western regions of the country. Dozens of soldiers and Iraqis have been killed or wounded in daily skirmishes.

A U.S. patrol in the troubles city of Fallujah came under fire from a mosque Monday. Soldiers did not return fire but arrested two suspects, Centcom said.

Fallujah, a Sunni Muslim stronghold about 30 miles west of Baghdad, has been the scene of almost constant clashes since U.S. troops shot dead 18 demonstrators and wounded 78 others in two confrontations in April. Residents have accused U.S. troops of regularly using excessive force and of not respecting Islamic practices.

Copyright (c) 2003, The Associated Press

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This article originally appeared at:
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-iraq-attack,0,7293326.story

Visit Newsday online at http://www.newsday.com