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Senators’ Plane Draws Iraqi Fire

Flight crew of VIP aircraft used evasive maneuvers in 'close call'

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2007 10:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – An airplane carrying three US senators and a congressman was fired upon by rockets as it left Baghdad last night, forcing the pilot to resort to evasive maneuvers to avoid being struck. Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby described the rocket attacks as “near misses,” CNN reports. “Our plane started maneuvering and changing directions and shaking all around,” the senator said.

Also on board were Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe and Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, as well as Alabama Rep. Bud Cramer. The southern VIPs saw flares fired by their military plane, used to confuse the censors on heat-seeking rockets. The congressman complimented the flight crew, and said the danger was “something that our men and women in combat face every day.”

Senators Discuss Immigration Bill
Senators Discuss Immigration Bill   (Getty Images)
U.S. Sen. Jim. Inhofe, R-Okla., speaks during a luncheon in Tulsa, Okla., Friday, April 27, 2007.  (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
U.S. Sen. Jim. Inhofe, R-Okla., speaks during a luncheon in Tulsa, Okla., Friday, April 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)   (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Richard Shelby
WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Richard Shelby   (KRT Photos)
Congressional Delegation Visits Bagram Air Base
Congressional Delegation Visits Bagram Air Base   (Getty Images)
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