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Was Crashed Copter's Rescue Mission Necessary?

Investigators probing that question

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2011 7:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – A heartbreaking twist in the helicopter tragedy that claimed 38 US and Afghan lives: The rescue mission the troops were en route to may not even have been necessary. Special Operations forces in the remote Tangi Valley requested assistance after coming under fire from "several" insurgents, even though they were able to kill some of those insurgents, the Washington Post reports.

The responding helicopter was felled by what military officials are calling a "lucky shot" as it prepared to land, while the troops already on the ground did not suffer casualties—and even fended off the insurgents and secured the site on their own, until another helicopter arrived. Investigators are now probing whether the doomed rescue mission was really needed.

US soldiers secure the area after exiting a Chinook helicopter, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, in this June 18, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 14 comments

Ucantusethatname

Aug 10, 2011 3:21 AM CDT

The important question is whether it is necessary for the United States to continue to participate in this war.

dukem

Aug 9, 2011 10:27 PM CDT

wikileaks exposed the military press releases on choppers down were censored to americans prior to this event. ?same team that took out Osama Bin Laden, small world

theblueflame51

Aug 9, 2011 4:20 PM CDT

The real question is was the war necessary? The trillions spent on the war, the thousands dead and maimed, For what? Politicians who never wore "boots on the ground" sending the bravest men and women in the world on missions that are more about advancing political agendas than defending America.

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Was Crashed Copter's Rescue Mission Necessary?

Investigators probing that question

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Taliban • casualties • Afghanistan war • Chinook helicopters • helicopter crash • Special Ops • Afghanistan casualties

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More Newser Stories

30 US Troops Die in Afghan Chopper Crash

Deadliest incident in decade-old war; Karzai sends condolences

Witnesses Recount Helicopter Tragedy

Chinook burst into flames, crashed in pieces

NATO: Taliban Rocket Likely Downed Helicopter

Officials working to recover every single piece

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Afghan Blast Kills 7 US Troops

Kandahar roadside bomb deadliest since 2009

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