7 Killed In Afghan Helicopter Crash

5 Americans Among NATO Troops Who Died; Taliban Claims Responsibility

(AP)  Five Americans and two other soldiers died when a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down in Afghanistan's most volatile province, a U.S. military official said. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force said other troops rushing to the scene were ambushed and had to call in air support to drive off their attackers.

Initial reports suggested the helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade on Wednesday evening, said the U.S. official, who insisted on speaking anonymously because the crash is under investigation. NATO said there were no survivors.

A purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, claimed in a phone call to The Associated Press that militants shot the helicopter down in southern Helmand province, the world's largest opium poppy-growing region where combat has been heavy in recent months.

Ahmadi did not offer any proof for his claim, but he specified the helicopter crashed in the Kajaki district hours before NATO reported that information. Kajaki is the site of a hydroelectric dam and the scene of recent fighting.

NATO said the CH-47 Chinook was carrying a crew of five and two military passengers when it crashed at about 9 p.m. local time. The cause is "being determined by military officials," it said. The nationality of the two other dead soldiers has not been released.

NATO said troops going to the crash site were ambushed by enemy fighters and the unit called in an airstrike "to eliminate the enemy threat." It did not say if the troops were from the U.S.-led coalition, NATO's force or the Afghan army. One civilian was injured by gunfire.

The CH-47 Chinook, a heavy transport helicopter with two rotors, can carry around 40 soldiers plus a small crew. The fact that it was flying at night suggests the aircraft could have been carrying troops on a nighttime air assault.

Kajaki is the site of a large U.S.-funded hydroelectric dam now being repaired so it can provide electricity to the southern city of Kandahar. British troops, who make up the bulk of the forces in Helmand province, have been engaged in fierce fighting around the dam protecting it.

The NATO force, which is responsible for a countrywide counter-insurgency campaign, has 37,000 soldiers, including about 14,000 Americans. There are 12,000 U.S. troops in the separate U.S.-led coalition, which trains the Afghan army and conducts Special Forces anti-terrorism operations.

Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan have been relatively rare. A Chinook crashed in February in the southern province of Zabul, killing eight U.S. personnel. Officials ruled out enemy fire as the cause.

In May 2006, another Chinook crashed attempting a nighttime landing on a small mountaintop in eastern Kunar province, killing 10 U.S. soldiers.

In 2005, a U.S. helicopter crashed in Kunar, after apparently being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing 16 Americans.

Hours before Wednesday's helicopter attack, a senior U.S. military official, briefing reporters on the war effort, said the U.S. has "the Taliban on their heels" in Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon that "the Taliban has suffered numerous losses and has suffered losses to their senior leadership over this past month" in southern and eastern Afghanistan. As a result, said Wiggins, the Taliban has "reverted to asymmetric-type, small-scale, high-profile attacks."

Mullah Dadullah, a one-legged veteran who orchestrated an intensifying campaign of suicide attacks and beheadings, was killed in an operation in southern Afghanistan this month. He had been considered the top Taliban field commander.

Wiggins added that as the poppy harvest ends, more insurgents might join the battle.

"The fight's not over," he said. "We'll continue to take the offensive through several of the operations we have in Afghanistan, and hopefully... continue to inflict casualties on the Taliban."

[svenskasandy]

The World Bank and IMF have Summed up "Enhanced Initiatives for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Preliminary Document. Dated April 17, 2007.

Question: Why would money be poured into this country with War goiing on there, American troops being killed there.

Thank you,

Sandra
[e-mail]

[grazinggoat]

We agree that industrialized societies are generally more destructive than primitive societies. It appears that humans are little different than a virus that kills its host. And, in the process, kills itself.
Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:33 AM : May 31, 2007

-Buffer mecanisms on Earth can take some abuse from Humans' practices and behaviors, but if pushed too much to the extreme, they will break down. Before it's too late, some consciences are waking up to the fact that too much of consumption and industrialization is too harmful to the systems of which we are part. Look at the farming process using the synthesis chemicals that caused the waterbeds in most of America and Canada to be poisoned or polluted. Bringing up to this fact new legislations regarding the environment protection.

Your comparison of Humans to a virus killing its host and dying, is not untrue. The process has not reached its full dynamic and effects to have the feared results, not yet, but not so far though ...

[holynelson]

Voicing our opinion is easy when we are not in the war zone. Hopefully we all love our country The USA. What we should do or don't do is easy to say then do. We have children over there dying and some of them don't even know why. Prayer is the answer so voice your opinion to God.

[tuckerndfw]

Posted by grazinggoat at 10:49 AM : May 31, 2007

The relationship you attempted to make between global warming and imposing "democracy" on others at the point of a gun is unclear.

We agree that industrialized societies are generally more destructive than primitive societies. It appears that humans are little different than a virus that kills its host. And, in the process, kills itself.

[grazinggoat]

Attempting to impose "democracy" on other people at the point of a gun is truly one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard.
And would seemingly be a contradiction on the face of it.
Posted by tuckerndfw

-My biological background tells me that the variety of governments and governing are part of the mosaic and range of behaviors available in the Nature specifically for humans in order to SURVIVE.

Our western societies with the HUGE consumption and commercial practices have created a huge harm to the Nature; namely the Global warming, the poisoning by pollution and the diseases (AIDS), birdflus etc... whereas their societies are still primitive and healthier, one would say. The behaviorals between individuals are not sophisticated but effective and sufficient, to keep the strain of HUMANS alive and somehow thriving.

Take this example of consumption: moving one person 10 miles from point A to point B with a Hummer would release more than 15 pounds of Carbon Dioxyde in the Atmosphere. Doing the same thing over a donkey back would release hardly one pound of the same Carbon Dioxyde. So?

[kretos-2009]

i can say that they lie about dead soldiers. 35 killed.

[tuckerndfw]

Maybe we should have ignored what happened on 9/11 and just let everyone go on their merry way. I'm sure if we sat back and did nothing they would just go away.

Posted by guyfrompa45 at 08:53 AM : May 31, 2007

Anyone who seriously believes that "doing nothing" or "all out war" are the only two available options in response to the events of 9/11/01, or any other event, clearly have limited intellectual abilities.

And, are unfit to control government agencies, including the military.

The invasion of Afghanistan was not only ineffective, it was counterproductive.

Invading Afghanistan was as stupid as invading Iraq, possibly moreso.

[panhandlpete]

Does anybody ever revisit what life was like here in the US before 9/ll/01? And, what life would be like now had our leaders followed a different path? Not something enjoyable, for sure.

Over 3,000 died on 9/ll, but that mark has now been passed along with 24 thousand maimed for life in this war effort. (Saying nothing about the pain, anxiety and suffering to all those families.)

We have lost our sense of "freedom" in the efforts to make ourselve "safe". Who changed whom?

One has to wonder why the neighboring countries do not participate more in the fight to change these tribal countries.......why should they when they look to the mighty US to protect them? We police the world, but leave our borders and ports open.

A Billion dollars a year to Pakistan to help patrol its northern borders. So why would they turn over OSB and lose this easy money? Every little country on the globe can get a share if it says the Al Qaida IF muslims are present. So a war about OIL has now become elimination of one faction of people over another.

When you have a fatalistic view (armageddon), what you do does not matter for the results are predetermined!!!!!!

[poradicus]

1. Firewire 800 - would not operate in 800Mbs with Orangeware or Unibrain drivers. The only way that I was able to run it is with the Microsoft hot fix patch for XP SP2. 2. Could not complete a full format. After 24 hours it was still hanged in the 77%. Tried everything from USB, Firmware, safe mode, disabling all other applications and using a different systems with no success.

[norcalruss]

Guys, I got this post on WaPo about this phony who goes by the name BuffaloJim who you may have encountered:

MacTHEknite wrote

EVERYONE!!!!! I've identified the following pseudonyms for the same WaPo blogger: BuffaloJim57, BuftaloJim57, helix5, acquisano, everyman1776, adrienne_najjar, Kase, afraidofme, WmJLePetomane, jvandeswaluw (the "dutch" guy who calls himself "joop,"), binkynh and 1humanity. There are several other "suspects," and he may be blogging on WaPo with up to 30 or 40 other names. You'll note that he's created a number of caricatures to start crude arguments on the WaPo blogs, and make himself look much smarter than me. It's very unfortunate because it casts doubt upon the sincerity of many honest bloggers. No one else but me was able to detect this. PLEASE people keep your eyes OPEN!!!!! OK!!!!!
I will be rounding up more suspects for you all soon!

[tuckerndfw]

tuckerndfw,

Your analysis here is up to your usual high standard.

Posted by FeelFree1 at 12:22 AM : May 31, 2007

Thanks.

I realize that my comments can be depressing, but the truth is rarely very inspiring or exciting.

If Afghanis had wanted a western style secular democracy, they would have adopted it long ago. Same with the Iraqi people.

Attempting to impose "democracy" on other people at the point of a gun is truly one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard.

And would seemingly be a contradiction on the face of it.

[feelfree1]

tuckerndfw,

Your analysis here is up to your usual high standard.

[tuckerndfw]

I certainly hope your forecast for the future of Afghanistan is incorrect.

Posted by markster6 at 11:52 PM : May 30, 2007

Reality check:

The majority of Afghanis are illiterate (about 60%).

The majority of Afghanistan lacks basic services, i.e., running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, etc.

The majority of Afghanistan is controlled by tribal leaders, most of whom are related by birth or marriage to the people over which they rule.

The majority of Afghanis are related by birth or marriage to members of the Taliban.

US forces or the "allies" will never in this life time be recognized as the rulers of Afghanistan. The only way to pacify Afghanistan is to murder every man, woman and child in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and other surrounding areas.

Attempting to impose a western style secular democracy on illiterate, tribal people may be a worthy goal, but it ain't gonna happen.

The invasion of Afghanistan was as stupid as the invasion of Iraq, possible moreso.

And, the end result will be a Taliban (or equivalent) controlled Afghanistan with no foreign occupation forces within their borders. The only question is when.

[feelfree1]

Hi 'grazinggoat',

Re: "We're about to wake the idiot arse00008 up!"

I can almost smell it.

###

What do you think of this man, marching 59 straight hours around the White House, for his fallen comrades and for the people of Iraq?

My guess is that CBS News couldn't care less about this Iraq War veteran. Exxon-Mobile can hardly make a profit from news like this.

Re: "-Evidence to inculpate Bush and COs to thefact it was an inside business. They wanted to save their idiot arses008..."

No doubt.

Have you seen this film yet? It is only just over 21 minutes, but jam-packed. A very good primer.

'The Third Stage'

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-5224963246223576086&q=%22third+stage%22

Cheers!

[markster6]

tuckerndfw
you are correct about most European members of NATO (such as France & Germany) not being there to fight.
I certainly hope your forecast for the future of Afghanistan is incorrect.

[feelfree1]

Related-

Courage to Resist. May 30, 2007. 7:00 pm PST

SACRAMENTO, CA %u2013 An Iraq War veteran %u2013 who insists on remaining anonymous as "only a representative" of his fallen comrades %u2013 began walking laps around the state capitol building Monday morning at 8:00 am. Fifty-nine hours later, he is still walking.

www.couragetoresist.org

[tuckerndfw]

The US and NATO are there to rid the land of the Taliban menace.

Posted by markster6 at 11:18 PM : May 30, 2007

Most European members of NATO are not in Afghanistan to do any fighting at all. They are there to satisfy their NATO obligation so they can collect billions of dollars from the US government.

The illusion that NATO is in Afghanistan to defeat anyone is Bush administration propaganda. As soon as Bush is thrown out of office, NATO will leave Afghanistan. And Kharzai will be assassinated.

After which, the Taliban will regain complete control of Afghanistan.

[tuckerndfw]

Invading Afghanistan was as stupid as invading Iraq.
Posted by tuckerndfw at 06:12 PM : May 30, 2007

Well, I don't know about that. They were harboring bin Laden after all.

Posted by roger_inkart at 08:30 PM : May 30, 2007

And, your point is?

You make that comment as if OBL has been captured and al qaida eliminated.

From where I sit, al qaida is thousands of times more influential, has tens of thousands more followers and OBL is still doing whatever he was doing on 9/10/01.

And, the Taliban still controls the majority of Afghanistan.

Which brings us back to my original point:

Invading Afghanistan was as stupid as invading Iraq. Possibly more stupid.

[feelfree1]

We will recall that Colon Powell put together a $43 million dollar "aid" package for the Talliban, in May of 2001, as a reward for irradication poppy production in Afghanistan.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, we remember that the Talliban leaders offered to extradite Osama bin Laden, requesting only evidence that he was involved in the attacks. The Bush regime declined.

If such evidence existed, imagine how much wasted blood, treasure, and dignity we could have saved.

[markster6]

The US and NATO are there to rid the land of the Taliban menace. The Taliban sheltered and supported Bin Laden & Co., and needs to be destroyed for the security of the American people.

One major problem is that NATO forces won't attack Waziristan where the Taliban has control. Pakistan ceded control of the Waziristan region, and thus the Taliban operates freely in this lawless land. NATO should not recognize a border that the enemy does not recognize. Take the leash off our fighting forces in accordance with the "Powell Doctrine".