Blackhawk Helicopter Crashes, 14 US Soldiers Killed
IRAQ – 14U.S. soldiers are dead after a Blackhawk helicopter crash in Iraq.
It comes less than a month before theU.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker,and the top military commander, General David Petraeus submit a much anticipated progress report to Congress on September 15th. The military says “mechanical failure” caused the crash of a Blackhawk helicopter in northern Iraq.
The steady rise in ground attacks againstU.S. troops has heightened the demand for helicopters. They are fast, versatile, and vital for disaster response. But they are also highly visual targets. Insurgent groups are quick to claim responsibility when they purportedly take one down.
ByABC News’ account9 blackhawks have crashed since the war began, killing 60U.S. soldiers. That brings the number of U.S.forces killed in Iraq to 3,721. Most of those deployed are waiting to hear how the September 15th report to Congress will affect their tours of duty. For now many continue to work towards handing over security to Iraqis.
Nearly 1,000 local Iraqis have volunteered to help, but not all have been fully trained or are armed. Many are split into Sunni or Shiite divides. Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, Commander of theMultinational Corps-Iraqsays, “They will become police, really to patrol and protect their local communities, and they will in fact in the long term, be the security in these areas, and will allow us to reduce our presence over time. ”
When that happens there is concern these local groups will develop into militias and even more violence will follow.
