Seven Killed as Marine Helicopter Crashes in Anbar Province

The military has not yet commented on the possible causes of the incident

CH-46 helicopter flown by U.S. Marines Photo courtesy: DOD

(WASHINGTON) - All seven crewmembers and passengers were killed when a Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter went down in Iraq's Anbar province this morning, a senior U.S. military officer based in Baghdad confirmed today.

Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters the helicopter went down about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad.

The helicopter and its crew were conducting routine operations, military officials said. The servicemembers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Caldwell would not comment on the possible causes of the incident. "The investigation is going on as we speak," he said. A quick reaction force team had arrived at the crash site, he added.

The mission of the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter in a Marine Medium Helicopter (HMM) squadron is to provide all-weather, day/night, night vision goggle (NVG) assault transport of combat troops, supplies, and equipment during amphibious and subsequent operations ashore. Troop assault is the primary function and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks are: combat and assault support for evacuation operations and other maritime special operations; over-water search and rescue augmentation; support for mobile forward refueling and rearming points; aeromedical evacuation of casualties from the field to suitable medical facilities.

The Marine Corps has 239 CH-46's in their current inventory.

Background: The CH-46 Sea Knight was first procured in 1964 to meet the medium-lift requirements of the Marine Corps in Viet Nam with a program buy of 600 aircraft. The aircraft has served the Marine Corps in all combat and peacetime environments. However, normal airframe operational and attrition rates have taken the assets to the point where a medium lift replacement is required. The safety and capability upgrades are interim measures to allow continued safe and effective operation of the Sea Knight fleet until a suitable replacement is fielded.

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Thanks to John J. Kruzel of American Forces Press Service for this report.