IRBIL, Iraq, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- A series of recent helicopter crashes in Iraq were the result of enemy fire, the U.S. military in Iraq said.
Maj. Gen. William Caldwell acknowledged for the first time on Feb. 4 that four helicopters were downed by attacks from the ground, Voice of America reported.
"There has been an ongoing effort ever since we have been here to target our helicopters," Caldwell said.
The crashes that occurred beginning on Jan. 20 resulted in the deaths of 21 U.S. services members and private contractors.
The vulnerability of U.S. helicopters has prompted the U.S. military to re-evaluate its tactics, Caldwell said.
"Obviously, based on what we have seen, we are already making adjustments in our tactics and techniques and procedures as to how we employ our helicopters in support of Iraqi security forces and coalition forces. We are making those appropriate changes," Caldwell said.
He did not elaborate about what changes are expected.
The latest incident occurred on Feb. 2 when a U.S. helicopter was shot down about 12 miles from Baghdad. Two U.S. soldiers died in the attack.
