BAGHDAD, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. military in Baghdad confirmed Iraqi insurgents were responsible for shooting down a Marine helicopter last week and killing seven Marines.
While the military originally said mechanical failure was the reason for the crash 20 miles northwest of Baghdad on Feb. 7, U.S. Marine Major Jeff Pool said after reviewing a videotape posted on the Internet post by insurgents, it was clear the CH-46 twin-rotor craft was shot down.
Pool said Marines who reached the crash site destroyed what was left of the helicopter so insurgents would not be able to get their hands on any of it.
The chopper was carrying medical supplies when it was struck, CNN said.
Four military and two U.S. civilian helicopters have gone down in Iraq in the past three weeks and the U.S. military said five of the crashes were caused by enemy fire.
However, Pool said he would not publicly discuss whether insurgents have developed new anti-aircraft systems.
"Because of the sensitive operational nature of the recent events, speculation as to capabilities of the enemy's weapons, or our tactics to counter them, will not be discussed to guard the safety of our service members," he said.
