STORM2K

It was a CH-54(hope that's right) that can carry up to 37 people. No survivors.

Iraq

Jan. 26, 2005



Chopper Crash Kills Marines


(AP) A U.S. Marine transport helicopter crashed in western Iraq, killing as many as 30 on board according to initial reports. Insurgents staged attacks against U.S. forces, schools to be used as polling stations and political party offices on Wednesday, as they pressed a bloody campaign to undermine Iraq's weekend elections.

AP reports as many as 30 are dead in the crash of the CH-53E "Super Stallion" helicopter. All aboard were killed. Military officials are not sure yet whether the chopper was shot down or crashed for some other reason.

The crash took place Wednesday morning near the town of Rutbah, 220 miles west of Baghdad in the al Anbar province, while the aircraft was transporting 1st Marine Division forces conducting "security operations," the U.S. military said in a statement.

A search and rescue team was dispatched to the site and an investigation into what caused the crash is underway, the military said.

Very sad news and I pray for the families of the victims.

NBC News reporting it was NOT shot down. They think it was weather-related, possible sandstorm when it happened. Regardless, it's a very sad story. If the numbers are confirmed, it'll be the worst single incident of the entire war.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/ ... index.html

Confirmed.

Isn't the "Super Stallion" the USMC version of the Navy's "Sea Knight"? That chopper is 56 years in service, and I am amazed that it is still considerd "operational"?

I just saw this on cnn.com

In the deadliest day for U.S. forces since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 31 U.S. Marines died in a helicopter crash in western Iraq, four Marines were killed in action in Al-Anbar province and a U.S. soldier died when insurgents attacked a combat patrol north of Baghdad, according to the U.S. military.