Military

December 4, 2005
Release Number: 05-12-07


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TWO CH-47 CHINOOKS MAKE EMERGENCY LANDINGS IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN; SIX INJURED

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Two U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopters made emergency landings today in separate locations in southern Afghanistan resulting in the injury of five U.S. soldiers and one Afghan National Army soldier.

In the first incident, an emergency landing at a Forward Operating Base south of Tarin Kowt occurred with one Afghan National Army soldier injured and evacuated to a nearby U.S. military treatment facility. He is listed in stable condition.

The second incident, in which five U.S. soldiers were injured, occurred north of Kandahar and resulted in severe damage to the aircraft. The injured were evacuated to a nearby U.S. medical facility for treatment, and all are reported in stable condition. None of the injuries were reported as serious.

Afghan and U.S. forces are conducting recovery operations.

Both aircraft were involved in combat operations against enemy forces in southern Afghanistan.

The causes of the incidents are under investigation.

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