A U.S. FA-18 Hornet fighter-bomber has been shot down over southern Iraq by a surface-to-air missile, U.S. television networks reported on Wednesday.
It was the first American airplane shot down during the war on Iraq. The Iraqis on Wednesday shot down an Army helicopter and have downed several pilotless surveillance drones.
A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was shot down south of Baghdad Wednesday, killing seven soldiers and wounding four, Pentagon officials said.
Initial reports indicated that helicopter was downed by small-arms fire near Karbala, Pentagon officials said.
The Black Hawk was the second U.S. helicopter to go down in combat. An Army Apache assault helicopter went down March 24 during an assault on Republican Guard forces; its two pilots were captured by Iraqis.
Pentagon officials said their initial reports showed seven soldiers aboard the helicopter were killed and four were wounded and rescued. The UH-60 Black Hawk is one of the Army's main utility and troop transport helicopters. Each is flown by a crew of four and can carry up to 11 soldiers. (Albawaba.com)
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