Suzie
02-22-2002, 03:24 PM
Copter Caught Fire Before Crash
By ADAM BROWN Associated Press Writer
APO ISLAND, Philippines - A U.S. military helicopter apparently caught fire before plunging into the sea in the southern Philippines before dawn Friday while participating in a counterterrorism training exercise, witnesses said.
Three bodies were recovered shortly after the crash near the tiny island of Apo. The other seven Americans on board remained missing as night fell. Little debris had been recovered from the deep water and swift currents.
No survivors had been found, and Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, head of the U.S. forces in the exercise, said he hoped the missing would be found alive.
''We are doing everything with our Philippine friends to find them. These were friends of mine, so it's a difficult part of our jobs,'' he said.
Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick, an Army spokesman at Fort Campbell, Ky., said the crew was from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and that the other two men were Air Force para-rescue jumpers. The 160th, known as the ''Night Stalkers,'' slips special forces commandos behind enemy lines aboard Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters.
The group was part of a 600-strong U.S. contingent that has come to the Philippines for six months to help local troops in their battle against the murderous Abu Sayyaf. The rebel group is holding
MORE HERE (http://www.usatoday.com/aponline/2002022215/2002022215402500.htm)
But hey, you saved a few bucks on repairs and improvements over those 8 years though didn't you Mr. Clinton? I guess he felt results like this were worth it! images/icons/mad.gif
By ADAM BROWN Associated Press Writer
APO ISLAND, Philippines - A U.S. military helicopter apparently caught fire before plunging into the sea in the southern Philippines before dawn Friday while participating in a counterterrorism training exercise, witnesses said.
Three bodies were recovered shortly after the crash near the tiny island of Apo. The other seven Americans on board remained missing as night fell. Little debris had been recovered from the deep water and swift currents.
No survivors had been found, and Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, head of the U.S. forces in the exercise, said he hoped the missing would be found alive.
''We are doing everything with our Philippine friends to find them. These were friends of mine, so it's a difficult part of our jobs,'' he said.
Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick, an Army spokesman at Fort Campbell, Ky., said the crew was from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and that the other two men were Air Force para-rescue jumpers. The 160th, known as the ''Night Stalkers,'' slips special forces commandos behind enemy lines aboard Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters.
The group was part of a 600-strong U.S. contingent that has come to the Philippines for six months to help local troops in their battle against the murderous Abu Sayyaf. The rebel group is holding
MORE HERE (http://www.usatoday.com/aponline/2002022215/2002022215402500.htm)
But hey, you saved a few bucks on repairs and improvements over those 8 years though didn't you Mr. Clinton? I guess he felt results like this were worth it! images/icons/mad.gif