THE TENSION: Update: 14 Non-Battle Deaths in Iraq Blackhawk Crash

Dispatches from the Front:

For an update of this post, including a casualty list of 14 soldiers involved, click here.

Update: 14 Task Force Lightning Soldiers die in helicopter downing
August 23, 2007
Multinational Division-North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq -- Fourteen Task Force Lightning Soldiers died when the aircraft they were flying went down in Kirkuk province, killing all passengers and crew on board, Aug. 22.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were conducting night operations when one of the aircraft went down shortly after extracting the Soldiers from a combat mission. On board were four Fort Lewis, Wash.-based aircrew members and 10 Schofield Barracks, Hawaii-based passengers.

“There is no doubt this is a tragic event, not only for Task Force Lightning, but also for the families and fellow Soldiers in the Schofield and Fort Lewis communities,” said Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commander of Task Force Lightning and the 25th Infantry Division. ”I extend my sincere condolences to those deeply affected by the loss of these warriors.”
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, after completing the ground portion of a night operation.

Initial reports and on-scene observations indicate mechanical failure led to the downing.

“Our prayers go out to the families and loved ones of these American heroes,” said Mixon. “These losses reinforce our resolve in this war and strengthen our commitment of service to our Nation.”

Additional news sources: CNN, AP.

ORIGINAL POST:

The Associated Press, CNN, The Washington Post and others report a Black Hawk helicopter went down Wednesday in northern Iraq, killing all 14 U.S. soldiers aboard, the military said, the deadliest crash since January 2005.

According to the military statement, two helicopters were conducting a night operation when one went down. The aircraft had been carrying four crewmembers and 10 passengers from Task Force Lightning, an American operation whose area of command includes the cities of Tikrit, Kirkuk, Samarra and Mosul.

The military said initial indications showed the UH-60 helicopter experienced a mechanical problem and was not brought down by hostile fire, but the cause of the crash was still under investigation.

Helicopter downed, results in 14 non-battle deaths
August 22, 2007

TIKRIT, Iraq (MND-N PAO) -- Fourteen Task Force Lightning Soldiers died when the aircraft they were riding went down in northern Iraq Wednesday.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were on a night operation when one of the aircraft crashed. That helicopter had been carrying four crewmembers and 10 passengers.

Initial indications are that the aircraft experienced a mechanical malfunction. There were no indications of hostile fire.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Names of the deceased are being withheld pending next of kin notification and release by the Department of Defense.