Helicopter Crash Kills 8 Coalition Troops, 14 Wounded in Afghanistan

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

CH-46 helicopter flown by U.S. Marines Photo courtesy: DOD

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Eight coalition personnel were killed and 14 others were wounded early today when a coalition CH-47 helicopter had a sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately to secure the site, recover the passengers and transport wounded personnel to coalition medical facilities for treatment.

The helicopter was transporting a total of 22 people, including aircrew, at the time of the crash.

Recent reporting indicated a Taliban build up for operations against the coalition forces in the region, officials said.

"The loss of these servicemembers is felt by all of us here in Afghanistan, and we offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who were killed," said Lt. Col. David Accetta, coalition spokesman.

The names of those involved in the incident are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The specific location and details of the incident will not be released until the completion of recovery operations.

An investigation will be conducted to verify the cause of the crash.

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The best site we know of is: iraqwarheroes.org.

Is there another site where I could find a recent list of fallen soldiers?

TY Tim for keeping us posted. *

This just came in, identifying one of the individuals killed in the helicopter crash as an American from New Mexico.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who died Feb. 18 when the coalition CH-47 helicopter he was riding in crashed in eastern Afghanistan.

Tech. Sgt. Scott E. Duffman, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

I am very sorry that we do not have the names or even the national identities of those killed. I am working on it and will post the information as soon as it is released.

8 colition? Nato? british or US? Army or Navy? pending notification of next of kin? holding our breath, kids havent had an email from their dad lately. June is so far away.

Simple. I think they could have been wounded when they crashed, but of course, there could be more to the story. Condolences, all.

if the helicopter wasn't brought down by groundfire, how were those 14 "wounded"?

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