Two Dead In Latest Crash

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 01.16.06 1430 EST: The Army has confirmed two soldiers were killed Monday after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down north of Baghdad, in the third downing of a US helicopter in 10 days.

Islamist websites are showing a video of a helicopter, purported to be the Apache, crashing after a missile strike. The clip is accompanied by a statement by the Mujahedeen Army claiming responsibility for downing a helicopter "belonging to the American enemy," according to CNN.

The video also states the Apache (file photo of type, right) was shot down Sunday -- but lists Monday's date, according to media reports.

Despite the claim -- and witness reports stating a missile struck the Apache before it went down -- US military officials stated it was "premature to determine the cause of the crash."

The Army helicopter, which was part of Task Force Iron Horse, went down in a swampy area near Taji.

An OH-58 Kiowa flying a reconnaissance mission was brought down Friday by hostile fire, killing the two soldiers onboard.

As was reported by Aero-News, a UH-60 Black Hawk was felled January 7, killing 12 people onboard. It is believed that poor weather had a role in that accident.

FMI: www.army.mil