Afghan Chopper Crashes Kill 14 Americans
Eleven American soldiers and three U.S. civilian contractors are dead in Afghanistan following two separate helicopter crashes – one of which was an apparent mid-air collision.
Neither crash is believed to have been the direct result of hostile fire, although Taliban forces did claim to have shot down an American helicopter.
The one-day death toll produced by the crashes is among the steepest since the U.S.-led invasion of the country began eight years ago.
It comes as U.S. forces in Afghanistan brace for a runoff presidential election in two weeks, and as America debates its future in the conflict based on a request by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal for thousands of additional troops.
Seven U.S. soldiers and three contractors died in the first incident – which took place in western Afghanistan following a successful action against Taliban narcotics operations. That crash also wounded 26 military personnel.
The second incident – in which two helicopters reportedly crashed into one another in southern Afghanistan – killed four U.S. soldiers.
Details of both crashes were sketchy at best, with the military insisting that its investigations into the separate accidents were being impeded due to “combat conditions” at both crash sites.
This has been America’s bloodiest year-ever in Afghanistan, with 267 American fatalities. That’s up from 155 fatalities a year ago and 117 fatalities in 2007.
By comparison, there have been 130 American fatalities this year in Iraq, down considerably from a peak of 904 two years ago.
In all, 5,248 American nationals have lost their lives in both conflicts.
Comments
By RP on October 26th, 2009 at 8:48 am
When are we going to shut this operation down and bring everyone home ? What a waste of human lives.
By harrie on October 26th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Tragic… My prayers for our soldiers and their families…Obama should spend less time on the golf course and instead spend more time listing to his generals.
By louie on October 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Harrie,
What are you implying? How dare you! Our president is still thinking and slooowly examining all the options.
Until Obamacare passes, don’t expect Obama to make any decisions on Afghanistan. The troops will just have to wait.
By Warren on October 26th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
According to CNN, 3 of the dead were DEA personnel. You remember, the war on drugs- just another endless war that drains our already depleted treasury.
These poor people have been growing opium for hundreds of years . It pays well and is all they know how to do to sustain their lives.
We can’t even stop drugs from coming from Mexico – how can we expect to be successful in Afghanistan?
By Skidmarks on October 26th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
$300 billion in 8 years for Afganistan.
$1 trillion for health care reform over 10 years.
Heath care reform is a bargain.
By No Way! on October 26th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Skidmarks,
1 Trillion is an incredible underestimate for the cost of healthcare over 10 years. This will only occur if there are Obama death panels to limit care for the elderly.