4 U.S. troops feared dead in Afghan chopper crash

Updated 5:18 p.m. ET

(AP) WASHINGTON - A U.S. Army helicopter crashed on a nighttime mission in southwestern Afghanistan on Thursday, and initial reports from the scene indicated that as many as four soldiers may have been killed, a U.S. defense official said.

In a brief official announcement, the American military command in Kabul said there were "no confirmed reports" of casualties "at this time." The announcement did not specify the nationality of the helicopter crew and said the cause of the crash was unknown.

Two U.S. defense officials said four U.S. troops were aboard the helicopter, identified as an Army Black Hawk, and one official said initial word from the scene was that officials "don't expect" that any of the four survived. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because details were still being collected and the families of the helicopter crew had not yet been notified.

Unspecified weather difficulties may have played a role in the crash, the two officials said, but it also was possible that enemy action was factor.

[Mongol-General-Ogedei]

Amen few more laps to go...

[cannuc]

Four wasted lives in pursuit of an everchanging ENDGAME. I read that a German co built and patented a modernday steam engine. 3 cylinders 850 punds of trust at 0 revolution and recycled the used steam. For the record it was installed briefly in a car called the EZEE03. In an extrapolation of the consequenses of letting this little gem out into the world. Looking far ahead. This modernday steam engine would be used to run generators to power small factories and homes. It would free the people from the clutches of the power co's among its lesser effects such as no more war for oil and the tax revenue this oils brings to the coffer of municipalities who depend on gasoline tax for its very survival. As you can now see Soldiers must continue to die so that politicos can retire handsomenly. That Modern day steam engine, Any modern day steam engine is a threat to the current GEO-political landscape, But a BOON to mankind. Sorry to say this here but men must continue to die to preserve the status quo.
The EZEE03 the machine that would bring peace.
Abraham Ben Judea

[Dreadnut]

I'm so glad Obama got us out of Iraq to concentrate on this war. It makes such a difference what clay shacks and dingy streets we are fighting for.

[ntwhite94]

There goes my grant money for school...oh well, at least the Afghanis are going to be eating good for the foreseeable future. I can't imagine it will take all 2 billion a year to protect them from their own extremists.

[ntwhite94]

There goes my grant money for school...oh well, at least the Afghanis are going to be eating good for the foreseeable future. I can't imagine it will take all 2 billion a year to protect them from their own extremists.