Helitac Posted April 9, 2010 Posted April 9, 2010 Thoughts & Prayers to all the family & friends and squadron mates of those killed in the USAF CV22 that crashed west of Qalat in Afghanistan. Your sacrifices were not in vain. Rest in Peace and Godspeed Guys. ISAF: 4 killed in U.S. aircraft crash in Afghanistan By the CNN Wire Staff April 9, 2010 -- Updated 0655 GMT (1455 HKT) (CNN) -- A U.S. aircraft crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing three U.S. service members and one civilian employee, a statement from NATO-led forces said Friday. The cause of the crash of the Air Force CV-22 Osprey was not known, said the International Security Assistance Force statement. Several other service members were injured in the crash late Thursday night. The CV-22, which conducts long-range infiltration and resupply operations for the U.S. military, went down seven miles west of the city of Qalat, the capital of Zabul province. Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban in the region, said Taliban fighters shot down the aircraft. Another spokesman, Qari Yoseph, also claimed responsibility and said that 30 Americans had been killed.A U.S. Air Force helicopter crashed late Thursday in Afghanistan's southeast, killing at least four people and wounding "numerous" others, the military said. A spokesman for the Taliban said its fighters had shot it down, but an Afghan official said it appeared to have crashed due to mechanical failure. The U.S. military released a statement saying an American CV-22 Osprey had crashed in southern Afghanistan late Thursday night, killing three U.S. troops, a civilian employee of unconfirmed nationality, and injuring "numerous other servicemembers." Air Force officials said the cause of the crash was still being investigated. Complete Coverage: Afghanistan The CV-22 Osprey uses tilt-rotor design allows it to take off as a helicopter but fly more like a propeller airplane once airborne, making it faster than most other military helicopters. According to the Air Force, the craft generally "conducts long range infiltration and resupply for U.S. Forces." A NATO spokesman said only that the helicopter went down overnight in the southeastern province of Zabul, and that no other details were known about the incident, which was under investigation. A Zabul government spokesman, Mohhamed Jahn Rasuliyar, first said the helicopter appeared to have been shot down, but changed that later to say the cause appeared to have been technical failure. The U.S. military said casualties had been transported to a nearby military base for treatment. The military's statement indicated that all U.S. personnel had been accounted for. The helicopter crash came just two days after the Taliban posted video of a man identified as Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier captured in Afghanistan last June. It shows him pleading to be returned home and saying the war in Afghanistan is not worth the human cost. NATO commanders in Afghanistan said Thursday the release of the video showing Bergdahl only inspires further efforts to find the man. Rasuliyar said the crash site was about 7 miles from the provincial capital of Qalat, further away than originally reported. He said there were reports of four deaths among those aboard the chopper, the type of which he did not know. Qari Yusuf Ahmedi, a spokesman for the Taliban insurgency that is active in the area, said militants had shot down the aircraft around midnight. The report could not be independently confirmed and the insurgents have a history of false and exaggerated claims designed to promote their cause of driving foreign forces from the country. Choppers are used extensively by both NATO and the Afghan government forces to transport and supply troops spread out across a mountainous country with few roads. Losses have been relatively light, despite insurgent fire and difficult conditions and most crashes have been accidents caused by maintenance problems or factors such as dust. Lacking shoulder-fired missiles and other anti-aircraft weapons, the Taliban rely mainly on machine guns and rocket propelled grenades to target helicopters at their most vulnerable during landings and takeoffs. One of the heaviest single-day losses of life for allied forces occurred on June 28, 2005, when 16 U.S. troops died aboard a Special Forces MH-47 Chinook helicopter that was shot down by insurgents.
BQZip01 Posted April 9, 2010 Posted April 9, 2010 To our Brothers. I've flown with those guys. RIP my friends...
BQZip01 Posted April 9, 2010 Posted April 9, 2010 FYI: The CV-22 belonged to the Air Force’s 8th Special Operations Squadron based at Hurlburt Field, Fla.
ClearedHot Posted April 9, 2010 Posted April 9, 2010 This is a horrible loss of some truly outstanding individuals...true professionals who LOVED their country and took great pride in their service...you will be missed. Godspeed brothers.
BQZip01 Posted April 9, 2010 Posted April 9, 2010 It looks like some people survived the crash: Unknown if it was crew or passengers who perished.
Zepplin559 Posted April 10, 2010 Posted April 10, 2010 Hurlburt is now a sadder place, may God comfort the families of those we lost. A toast!
HeloDude Posted April 10, 2010 Posted April 10, 2010 Found out today that one of my old Rucker IP's was one of those killed. To him and and as his family along with the others lost and their families. Thank you for your service and paying the ultimate sacrifice.
BQZip01 Posted April 10, 2010 Posted April 10, 2010 For the respect of the families, please do NOT jump the gun if you know anything, BUT... Please let us know when you hear of names
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