3 helicopters lost in Iraq since Jan. 20 (54 lost since may, 2003

[rodeodance]

3 helicopters lost in Iraq since Jan. 20

By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer 13 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three helicopters have been lost in
Iraq in the past 10 days, including one over the weekend. While insurgents and militias have plenty of weapons capable of shooting down helicopters, the U.S. has developed tactics to minimize the risk, and many experts doubt the threat to the military's workhorse has significantly increased.

Since May 2003, the U.S. military has lost 54 helicopters in Iraq, about half of them to hostile fire, according to figures compiled by the Brookings Institution. In addition, an OH-6A helicopter owned by the private security company Blackwater USA crashed last Tuesday in Baghdad in heavy gunfire, killing four civilian contractors.

The private aircraft was among three helicopters which have crashed in Iraq since Jan. 20. They also include a U.S. Army Black Hawk that crashed in Diyala province, killing 12 soldiers, and an unspecified army helicopter that went down Sunday during heavy fighting near Najaf, killing the two crew members.
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The recent spate of losses raises questions about whether Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias may have stepped up attacks on helicopters or may have received new supplies of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons. Sunni insurgents are already known to have SA-7 anti-aircraft weapons in their arsenal as well as rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns, all of which pose a threat to aircraft.

[hippiechick]

1. Halliburton and Dynagen thank the insurgents profusely.

:mad: