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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/south_ ... 274262.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
More precise facts remain sketchy: the Taliban claims they brought down a Chinook (
)with at least one RPG-7 near Sangin bazaar, Helmand district.NATO admits four U.S. servicemen died, the Taliban says they killed at least ten...
Apparently the helicopter flew in support of British troops during a clearing operation.
EDIT 19.55 hrs:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... tr=2015164" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
From Times Online June 9, 2010
US helicopter shot down trying to evacuate casualty from a British base
An American Blackhawk helicopter has been shot down with the loss of four servicemen as it attempted to evacuate a British casualty from Helmand Province.
The Times understands that the aircraft came under fire around midday over Forward Operating Base Jackson, near the British-held town of Sangin.
A spokesman for the Helmand Governor said that it was brought down by a rocket propelled grenade, an unguided shoulder launched weapon often employed by Taleban militants.
“All four fatalities were US service members,” a Nato spokesman told The Times, adding that the aircraft was “brought down by hostile fire”. In Kabul a US spokesman confirmed that those killed were Americans.
British forces in Helmand are transported and resupplied by helicopters from a variety of nationalities. Supplies are also carried by helicopters contracted from a number of civilian companies. US Blackhawk casevac helicopters frequently extract British wounded, if necessary under fire.
A known Taleban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, claimed that the militants had brought down the US helicopter with two RPGs.
The insurgents have long hoped to shoot down Nato helicopters and their spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, confirmed that insurgent commanders are offered cash rewards for successful attacks.
So far they have had limited success. Seven people were killed, including a British military photographer, when an American Chinook was shot down in Kajaki, in northern Helmand, in 2007.
On July 14th last year a Ukrainian MI-26 supply helicopter contracted to supply British troops was shot down with a rocket propelled grenade over Sangin with the loss of all six crew members.
Sangin has seen intense fighting in recent months and is currently held by members of 40 Commando, The Royal Marines.
