CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter shot down in Iraq

February 7th, 2007

Baghdad, Iraq - The U.S. military confirmed that yet another helicopter had come down in Iraq but declined to give more details.

Four U.S. helicopters -- three military and one civilian -- were shot down in Iraq between January 20 and Friday, raising concerns that insurgents are becoming more proficient at downing the aircraft. Sixteen U.S. troops were killed in the three military chopper crashes.

Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, speaking at a press briefing, said the helicopter down is a CH-46, and a quick reaction force is now at the site. He didn't provide any more detail.

The helicopter is a twin-rotor Sea Knight used by the Navy and the Marines. It is similar to the Army Chinook.

There have been news reports confusing this helicopter with a Chinook, and the claim also described the craft as a Chinook.

Signed by the Islamic State in Iraq's Ministry of Information, the claim said the incident took place in the Karma region of Anbar province, an area near Falluja.

"The defense air brigade of the Islamic State in Iraq was able to shoot down Chinook plane in al-Karma region and burning it down completely."

The claim said hundreds of people watched the craft in flames and "their voices shouted God is great, thanking God. And we say to the enemy of God that these are the proofs of God's conquest that he bestowed upon us so all thanks and praises are due to him."