16 U.S. Troops Killed In Chopper Crash

06/30/2005

Taliban Claimed Responsibility For Attack

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)—All 16 U.S. troops who were aboard a helicopter downed in Afghanistan were killed, military officials said Thursday.

“At this point, we have recovered all 16 bodies of those service men who were onboard the MH-47 helicopter that crashed on Tuesday,” Lt. Gen. James Conway, director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon.

The military had initially said 17 U.S. service members were aboard the helicopter.

Officials have said they believe militants shot down the helicopter as it was bringing in reinforcements for a battle with suspected al-Qaida fighters in a rugged ravine in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province.