Senator Says U.S. Copters in Iraq Lack Proper Gear

[Spazito]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Many U.S. helicopters in Iraq (news - web sites) lack standard anti-missile equipment that might have prevented last weekend's attack on a Chinook helicopter that killed 15 U.S. troops, a Democratic senator said on Wednesday.


Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said he had received e-mails from "reliable military sources" who told him they had been battling for the past six months to get anti-missile equipment for helicopters being used in Iraq.


"They've even had to take them off other helicopters leaving for Iraq. It's (anti-missile equipment) the most basic equipment they need to protect themselves," Durbin told ABC's "Good Morning America" program.

<snip>

He released an e-mail he said was from a pilot who backed his claim that helicopters were not properly equipped.

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1896&e=9&u=/nm/iraq_helicopter_dc

[leetrisck]

1. bush now has his "Blackhawk Down" more than

one, he has "Apache Down" and now "Chinook Down" Shall we do a movie you miserable Commander in Thief.

[7th_Sephiroth]

8. ithought

chaffs(foil) and Flares were standard equipment on all military aircraft, or was this a national guard hellicopter wich was intended for a fast deploy of people to a fire or something?

[Noordam]

2. These National Guard Copters were NEVER meant to be in Iraq

they are equipped for National Guard duties in the US like fighting fires. ......

The same goes for the old style vests the National Guard units have in Iraq. ........

[loudnclear]

3. Just one of the pieces of junk sold to us by the war-corporations...

which one? Pick one. Lockheed, Halliburton, Bechtel, and all subsidaries etc. But the Dems take the hit for not supporting the military and the Republicans take the credit for supporting the troop albeit with shoddy equipment and benefits.

[knowledgeispower]

4. Repubs seize chance to enrich war profiteers

Anyone wanna bet against it?

[peterh]

5. Hmmm….Pentagon moves quickly to counter Sen. Durbin…

(sorry - no link)

WASHINGTON (AP)--The Army National Guard helicopter that was shot down in Iraq
by shoulder-fired missiles was equipped with a standard package of defensive
systems, including a missile alert system and flares designed to decoy a
missile, a U.S. officer said Wednesday.
Army Col. William Darley, spokesman for U.S. forces in Iraq, said in an e-mail
exchange from Baghdad that the CH-47D Chinook helicopter had the ALQ-156
defensive system, including a flare dispenser, that is standard equipment on all
Chinooks - whether active duty or National Guard.
Pentagon officials had said Tuesday that they were looking into this after
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., complained that some National Guard helicopters in
Iraq have been operating without the ALQ-156 system and questioned whether the
Chinook shot down Sunday was properly protected.
The Chinook, deployed to Iraq from the Illinois National Guard, was carrying
troops to Baghdad. Fifteen soldiers were killed. Darley said a second Chinook
flying nearby also had the ALQ-156 system.

[Spazito]

7. It looks like there is some dispute with what the Pentagon is saying....

according to the Chicago Tribune, quoting a parent of one of the soldiers that was shot down in the chopper:

"Marine Capt. David Romley, a Defense Department spokesman, could not confirm what kind of anti-missile technology, if any, was on the 13-year-old Chinook shot down Sunday. But he insisted that National Guard units are provided the same anti-missile technology as active-duty units.

A woman whose daughter is in the National Guard unit whose helicopter was shot down disputed Romley's contention after talking with her daughter Tuesday by telephone. She said her daughter told her the helicopter did not include "rocket radar."

"She said most of their helicopters do not have the safety devices in place," the mother added, describing her daughter as upset and angry about the situation."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/iraq/chi-0311050264nov05,1,2845686.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[RamboLiberal]

6. Here's Chicago Trib Story where a mom disputes DefDept claim

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/iraq/chi-0311050264nov05,1,2845686.story?coll=chi-news-hed

Citing tips from military personnel stationed in Iraq, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) charged Tuesday that many of the aircraft operated by National Guard units are not equipped with the anti-missile defense systems and crew protection material necessary to safeguard troops.

<snip>

"These guard units come in and have to take hand-me-down equipment and scavenge equipment and plead for the same kind of protection that regular Army helicopter crews have," Durbin said in an interview.

<snip>

Marine Capt. David Romley, a Defense Department spokesman, could not confirm what kind of anti-missile technology, if any, was on the 13-year-old Chinook shot down Sunday. But he insisted that National Guard units are provided the same anti-missile technology as active-duty units.

A woman whose daughter is in the National Guard unit whose helicopter was shot down disputed Romley's contention after talking with her daughter Tuesday by telephone. She said her daughter told her the helicopter did not include "rocket radar."

"She said most of their helicopters do not have the safety devices in place," the mother added, describing her daughter as upset and angry about the situation.

[Cocoa]

9. if our troops want the proper equipment

they know who to talk to. Forget Rummy or the republicans, go straight to the dems.

[Nailzberg]

10. Kick some butt, Durbin!

The DoD can say whatever they want. But when the GIs are at risk, and the Pentagon starts Operation CYA, you know these people are gonna call their Senators. And Durbin is not one to roll over. He's a fighter. And he's got the next five years, so he doesn't have to pander. Go get 'em.