A V-22 Osprey, belonging to the United States Marines, prepares to land at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, 13 April 2007. The aircraft, which flies like a plane and takes off and lands like a helicopter, will be deployed to Iraq in September after more than two decades in development.
AFP PHOTO/SAUL LOEB
(Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
7:40 p.m. ET, 4/13/07
For weeks the V-22 Osprey was tested over Camp LeJeune. It was firt found to have a computer component problem. With that supposedly fixed, the decision was immediatlely made to send the vehicles and their pilots to Iraq. No testing beyond a few flights over the base and a few simple maneuvers. No long term study, nothing to reassure anyone involved with the Osprey that is was safe. Just, go to Iraq. Why? Because Cheney doesn't believe they will crash as simply as US helicopters?
The Arab Nations state it will take five years, as a goal, to stabilize Iraq. I wish them a lot of luck ! It looks like Saudi Arabia is ready to take them on.
Saudi Arabia arrests 172 in anti-terror sweep
Saudis say vast terrorism ring planned to blow up oil installations, attack officials and break militants out of jail.
Saudis say vast terrorism ring planned to blow up oil installations, attack officials and break militants out of jail.
By Michael SlackmanTHE NEW YORK TIMESSaturday, April 28, 2007
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi security officials said Friday that they had broken up a vast terrorist ring, arresting 172 men who planned to blow up oil installations, attack public officials and military posts, and storm a prison to free terrorist suspects.
The wide-ranging plot was uncovered over seven months, officials said, as one lead yielded another, allowing authorities to seize a cache of weapons buried in the desert and more than $5.3 million in cash.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi security officials said Friday that they had broken up a vast terrorist ring, arresting 172 men who planned to blow up oil installations, attack public officials and military posts, and storm a prison to free terrorist suspects.
The wide-ranging plot was uncovered over seven months, officials said, as one lead yielded another, allowing authorities to seize a cache of weapons buried in the desert and more than $5.3 million in cash.
Fifth U.S. chopper goes down in Iraq, killing 7
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Seven people were killed Wednesday when a Marine helicopter crashed outside Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
Crew members and passengers were on the CH-46 Sea Knight when it went down in Anbar province. The military said the cause of the crash is under investigation.
It was the fifth U.S. helicopter to go down in Iraq in almost three weeks.
Crew members and passengers were on the CH-46 Sea Knight when it went down in Anbar province. The military said the cause of the crash is under investigation.
It was the fifth U.S. helicopter to go down in Iraq in almost three weeks.
US helicopter shot down in Iraq
Friday, 27 May, 2005, 02:31 GMT 03:31 UK
A US helicopter has crashed in Iraq, after coming under small arms fire, the US military has said.
Two helicopters were conducting operations near Baquba, 60km (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad.
Both were hit; one crashed and the other managed to land safely at a nearby airbase. Two soldiers died in the crash, the US military said.
The American military has secured the scene of the crash, US Central Command said in a statement.
The Pentagon said that it was an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, a one-engined two-seater craft, which had been shot down.
Two helicopters were conducting operations near Baquba, 60km (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad.
Both were hit; one crashed and the other managed to land safely at a nearby airbase. Two soldiers died in the crash, the US military said.
The American military has secured the scene of the crash, US Central Command said in a statement.
The Pentagon said that it was an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, a one-engined two-seater craft, which had been shot down.
The U.S. death toll from a downed Chinook helicopter near Fallujah, has risen to 15, U.S. military officials say.
Sunday, November 2, 2003 Posted: 8:51 AM EST (1351 GMT)
The helicopter was shot down by a shoulder-type missile, about 60 kilometers west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, at 8 a.m. Sunday, witnesses told CNN.
It was one of three separate attacks Sunday, which saw at least one other U.S. servicemen killed in a convoy attack in Baghdad at about midnight.
It is the deadliest combat day for the U.S. since March 23, the day 28 American troops died in battle.
The helicopter was shot down by a shoulder-type missile, about 60 kilometers west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, at 8 a.m. Sunday, witnesses told CNN.
It was one of three separate attacks Sunday, which saw at least one other U.S. servicemen killed in a convoy attack in Baghdad at about midnight.
It is the deadliest combat day for the U.S. since March 23, the day 28 American troops died in battle.
Osprey to be deployed to Iraq with Marines in September
WASHINGTON - Ten new V-22 Osprey will be in Iraq for combat by September, the Marine Corps said Friday.
Built by Boeing Co. and Bell, a unit of Textron Inc., the planes' deployment marks a significant reversal for an aircraft program that was nearly scrapped after two deadly test crashes and a history of mechanical failures.
Built by Boeing Co. and Bell, a unit of Textron Inc., the planes' deployment marks a significant reversal for an aircraft program that was nearly scrapped after two deadly test crashes and a history of mechanical failures.
The V-22 Osprey tilt rotor craft heads for Iraq, safety questions linger
We had no sooner posted our story entitled, "Problem plagued Osprey tilt rotor aircraft reported on track for becoming operational," (Defense Electronics & Analysis, April 11, 2007), than the Defense Department announced that the V-22 Osprey would be sent to Iraq this December. When it arrives it will be the first time that it will be asked to perform a combat role. Nonetheless, the dialogue as to both the safety and worthiness of the VS-22 goes on unabated.
Because of its checkered safety record in test flights, the V-22 will be kept on a short leash. However, the restrictions that are to be imposed may be so severe that the tilt rotor craft may have difficulty fulfilling its missions. It may mean that these aircraft, which cost $80 million each, will not be able to evade enemy fire, simply because they lack the agility of the Vietnam-era helicopters they are replacing. Consequently, the V-22 may be more vulnerable to being shot down.
Because of its checkered safety record in test flights, the V-22 will be kept on a short leash. However, the restrictions that are to be imposed may be so severe that the tilt rotor craft may have difficulty fulfilling its missions. It may mean that these aircraft, which cost $80 million each, will not be able to evade enemy fire, simply because they lack the agility of the Vietnam-era helicopters they are replacing. Consequently, the V-22 may be more vulnerable to being shot down.
