Escort Helicopter Was Target Of Anti-Aircraft Missile

Initial reports that a helicopter transporting a US Senate Delegation led by Senator John McCain was the target of an anti-aircraft missile attack were false.

According to online magazine Civil Georgia, an investigation by the FBI and Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) found that another helicopter was targeted.

In a statement the US Embassy said, "It appears that another helicopter that was on the way from Tbilisi to join the Senate delegation helicopters in western Georgia was the intended target of the missile."

According to Georgian MIA, the escort helicopter, accompanying a second helicopter with President Saakashvili and "a group of visiting US Senators" on board, was targeted by an anti-aircraft missile.

MIA identified the weapon used as a Strela-2 (DOD designation SA-7) anti-aircraft missile. This is a Man-Portable Air Defense (MANPAD) weapon that is held on the operator's shoulder for launch.

MIA recovered the exploded shell and turned it over to US investigators after conducting their own analysis. The targeted helicopter was fired upon over the village of Avnevi, Georgia.

FMI: www.state.gov