Sun, May 07, 2006
All 10 U.S. soldiers aboard died
late Friday when a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter crashed near
Asadabad in Afghanistan's Kunar province, military officials
reported Saturday.
The soldiers' names are being withheld until their families are
notified.
A Combined Forces Afghanistan statement said crewmembers of
other aircraft at the mountain-top landing zone where the crash
occurred confirmed the crash was not the result of enemy
action.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and comrades of
the soldiers who were involved in this crash," said Army Maj. Gen.
Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of Combined Joint Task Force
76.
"We must honor the courage and dedication of our soldiers by
continuing our commitment to bringing peace and stability to the
Afghan people."
Army data notes that the venerable twin-engine, tandem rotor
Chinook helicopter has undergone numerous upgrades since the first
CH-47A model was delivered to the Army for use in Vietnam, in 1962.
Beginning in 1982 and ending in 1994, all CH-47A, B and C models
were upgraded to the CH-47D version, which remains the U.S. Army
standard and features composite rotor blades, an improved
electrical system, modularized hydraulics, triple cargo hooks,
avionics and communication improvements, and more powerful engines
that can handle a 19,500 lb load – nearly twice the
Chinook’s original lift capacity. An upgrade program exists
to remanufacture 300 of the current fleet of 425 CH-47D’s to
the CH-47F standard. The MH-47E is the Special Forces variant of
the Chinook and will be remanufactured to the MH-47G.
The Chinook is equipped with two T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines,
which are pod-mounted on either side of the rear pylon under the
rear rotor blades. The self-sealing fuel tanks are mounted in
external fairings on the sides of the fuselage. The fixed tanks
hold 1,030 gallons of fuel. Three additional fuel tanks can be
carried in the cargo area. In-flight refueling can extend the range
of the MH-47 helicopter.
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