News-Info-Alerts

Re: 5 Carried as DSTWN in Operation Enduring Freedom

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: November 26, 2003

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE:

"US soldiers killed in chopper crash
From AFP
November 25, 2003

A US military helicopter has crashed outside an American base near the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least five soldiers and injuring seven others in another setback for US forces. US central command spokesman Major Mike Escudie said: "It was an MH-53 transport helicopter." The personnel on board were from the army and the air force.

He said it was impossible to say whether the aircraft had encountered ground fire.

"The cause of the crash is unknown and under military investigation," US Central Command said in a brief statement. "The duty status of all on board will be updated as information becomes available."

No other information about the incident, which occurred outside Bagram Air Base, was available immediately, as defence officials in Washington scrambled to get word about the fate of the troops and the helicopter.

"It's a tragedy," commented Republican senator Jon Kyl in a television interview.

But Senator Kyl, of Arizona, stressed it was important for the US to stay the course of Afghanistan and Iraq, despite mounting losses in both countries.

"I think it's important for Americans ... to convey the message to the enemy that we can persevere longer than they can, that we have the willpower to stay in this fight," Mr Kyl told Fox News channel.

The command said the troops on board the downed aircraft were supporting Operation Mountain Resolve, which was launched this month in an effort to hunt down Taliban supporters and other Islamic militants in northeastern Nuristan and Kunar provinces.

Soldiers taking part in the operation are trying to deny sanctuary to remnants of the ousted Taliban regime and its al-Qa'ida supporters by finding and destroying weapons caches and bases believed to be located in the mountainous region.

The crash comes after two US-led coalition troops were wounded earlier on Sunday when their vehicle went over an improvised explosive device near the southeast Afghan border base of Shkin, which has been under regular attack from militants.

© The Australian "