Helicopter shot down in Afghanistan; 7 soldiers killed

The Associated Press

Five Americans and two other soldiers died when a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down Wednesday evening in Afghanistan's most volatile province, a U.S. military official said. NATO's International Security Assistance Force said other troops rushing to the scene in Helmand province were ambushed and had to call in air support to drive off their attackers. The Taliban claimed responsibility. Initial reports suggested the helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade, said one U.S. official. NATO said there were no survivors...

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Enemy Fire Cited in Helicopter Crash

LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

The U.S. helicopter that crashed and killed two soldiers in Diyala province Monday was shot down by enemy fire, a senior U.S. military official said Wednesday. Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the crash as part of a ``complex'' attack by enemy forces who first shot down the helicopter, then used roadside bombs to kill troops rushing to the site...

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