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US helicopter troops die in Iraq | US helicopter troops die in Iraq |
(30 minutes later) | |
A US military helicopter has crashed in southern Iraq, killing seven US soldiers, the military has said. | |
The CH-47 Chinook helicopter made a "hard landing" shortly after midnight on Thursday about 96km (60 miles) west of the city of Basra, it said. | The CH-47 Chinook helicopter made a "hard landing" shortly after midnight on Thursday about 96km (60 miles) west of the city of Basra, it said. |
The helicopter was flying from Kuwait in a convoy that was heading to a US military base north of Baghdad. An investigation is under way. | The helicopter was flying from Kuwait in a convoy that was heading to a US military base north of Baghdad. An investigation is under way. |
The US currently has around 147,000 troops based in Iraq. | The US currently has around 147,000 troops based in Iraq. |
A US spokesman said hostile fire was not suspected. | A US spokesman said hostile fire was not suspected. |
The twin-rotored Chinook transport helicopter has long been the workhorse of the US army, primarily used since its introduction in 1962 to move troops, artillery, ammunition, fuel and other supplies. | The twin-rotored Chinook transport helicopter has long been the workhorse of the US army, primarily used since its introduction in 1962 to move troops, artillery, ammunition, fuel and other supplies. |
It can carry 54 troops or 25,000lbs (11,340kg) of freight. | It can carry 54 troops or 25,000lbs (11,340kg) of freight. |
Equipped with satellite navigation and an instrument landing system, it has a defensive system to warn of approaching missiles and can fire diversionary "chaff" and flares. | Equipped with satellite navigation and an instrument landing system, it has a defensive system to warn of approaching missiles and can fire diversionary "chaff" and flares. |
Negotiations over the future status of the US troops are underway between Washington and Baghdad. | Negotiations over the future status of the US troops are underway between Washington and Baghdad. |
A UN mandate covering the presence of foreign troops in Iraq expires at the end of 2008. | A UN mandate covering the presence of foreign troops in Iraq expires at the end of 2008. |
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