Two choppers shot down in the last few days?

[kentuck]

I'm sure the military sees the possibility of a trend here? If the anti-government forces have smuggled in rocket launchers that can take down helicopters, then this will put a whole new face on Bush's "surge". Because if the American troops are going to go door to door in the burbs of Baghdad, they would plan on having helicopter support, I would assume. This would throw a big kink into the plans if the rebels have acquired a supply of those shoulder-held rocket launchers? Just a thought...

[yellowcanine]

1. Yep. Shades of the Soviets in Afghanistan. Rebels brought down Soviet choppers with the Stinger

missiles we gave them. Oh the irony!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Helicopters have been getting shot down since the beginning.

Hard to say if they've gotten a new supply. The insurgents have been closing in and getting more experienced. So they're probably going to be more successful as time goes on.

[Tesha]

5. It's a good bet that some of the 'choppers are starting to wear out as well. (NT)

[hobbit709]

3. I'm willing to bet

that they had a supply of launchers stashed waiting for the right time to use them. Once the US forces resources were stretched to the limit like they are now would be the time. Before, anything like this would prompt a massive air and ground retaliation, now we don't have the resources to respond that heavily. The "insurgents" are not as stupid as our "fearless leader"

[Tesha]

4. "No one could have envisioned this." (NT)

[On the Road]

6. I Been Wondering About This for the Last Three Years

with all the materiel the insurgents have been able to get hold of, anti-aircraft weapons would appear to be second on the list behind anti-tank devices. This could make things very ugly