[MilCom] SH60 helicopter crashed in BANDA ACEH, Indonesia

[Jason R]

Milcom List members

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - A U.S. helicopter on a relief
operation crashed in a rice paddy near Banda Aceh's
airport, injuring at least two U.S. servicemen and
causing the military to briefly suspend flights on
Monday, while strong aftershocks and security concerns
provided more challenges for aid workers two weeks
after the disaster hit. 

 The two men injured in the crash, along with eight
other Navy personnel, were being flown back to their
ship in the Lincoln battle group, said Capt. Joe
Plenzler, a U.S. military spokesman in Medan, 250
miles southeast of Banda Aceh. 


The SH60 helicopter crashed in a rice paddy about 500
yards from the airport in Banda Aceh, the main city on
Indonesia's tsunami-battered Sumatra island, as it was
trying to land, he said. 


"There was no fire ball but a little smoke. It landed
on its side," Plenzler said, adding that the
helicopter's propeller was twisted from the impact. 


U.S. authorities said there was no indication the
helicopter had been shot down. The U.S. military
suspended helicopter flights for about two hours after
the crash. 


The crash came a day after Indonesia warned aid
workers that separatist rebels have taken shelter in
camps for survivors and a burst of violence hit Sri
Lanka, signaling a potential resurgence of
long-simmering rebellions in both tsunami-hit
countries that could hamper help for victims of the
Dec. 26 disaster

Jason R





		
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