Al-Qaida Claims Downing Of U.S. Helicopter

wral.com ^ | November 3, 2005 | ap

[prairiebreeze]

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed Thursday it shot down a U.S. attack helicopter that crashed, killing two Marines, and a U.S. general said witnesses saw the aircraft take ground fire and break up in the air.

The AH-1W Super Cobra crashed Wednesday near Ramadi during daylong fighting in the insurgent stronghold 70 miles west of Baghdad. In addition to the two crewmen, an American lieutenant died when a bomb exploded as he was rushing to the crash site.

Another U.S. soldier died Thursday in a roadside bombing northeast of Baghdad, the military said.

In its statement, al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Jordanian terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said that its military wing "downed a Super Cobra attack helicopter in Ramadi with a Strella rocket, thanks be to God."

The authenticity of the statement could not be determined. It appeared on an Islamic Web site and bore the nickname of the group's spokesman, Abu Maysara al-Iraqi. The U.S. military said the cause of the crash had not been determined.

However, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch told reporters Thursday that witnesses "believe they saw a munition fired at the helicopter and saw the helicopter break in pieces in midair and then crash."

[prairiebreeze]

In its statement, al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Jordanian terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said that its military wing "downed a Super Cobra attack helicopter in Ramadi with a Strella rocket, thanks be to God."

God has a special place reserved just for you, Z-man. In Hell.

And it sounds like it's time to turn Ramadi into Little Falluja.

[Terpfen]

al Qaeda has been reduced to patting themselves on the back when they shoot down a helicopter.

We're winning.

[calrighty]

"In its statement, al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Jordanian terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said that its military wing "downed a Super Cobra attack helicopter in Ramadi with a Strella rocket, thanks be to God." "

Yeah, don't forget to remind GOD of this when you die : )

[operation clinton cleanup]

I'm sure the old bird did not go down without a fight....

[xrp]

Negative, there are no Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

[tongue-tied]

Nor the two crewmen...that they be not forgotten.

T-T

[prairiebreeze]

Amen to that, may they rest in peace and make us worthy of their sacrifice.

And may God bless and bring comfort to their families.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Nor the two crewmen...that they be not forgotten.

They will not be forgotten... heroes to the end, no matter what brought their mission to an early end.

[tongue-tied]

I have no doubt here on this forum we will keep and honor their sacrifice.

I just wanted to put the sentiment in there before we lost sight of the personal loss of more than just an asset. Not meant to be a chide; simply a reminder for others coming in later on to read the thread.

[Stars&StripesNE]

My daughter was at the site in Ramadi to remove the body of the Lieutenant who died. She and her group were originally waiting for the LT. and his crew to secure the site of the downed chopper so her crew could go in.

I spoke to her on line earlier today. She was distraught but hanging tough.

[Joe Miner]

with a Strella rocket

Newly imported via Syria or Iran I bet.

[prairiebreeze]

Oh, my. I'm so sorry she was put through that, please give her our utmost gratitude and support when you speak with her again.

[Stars&StripesNE]

Thank you prairiebreeze. I will relay your message.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Not meant to be a chide; simply a reminder for others coming in later on to read the thread.

Didn't take it that way... You are right though, a helicopter going down with 2 souls aboard makes more headlines than a IED taking out a 6 man patrol.

[mad_as_he$$]

Way past time!

[tongue-tied]

Good then we're cool, didn't mean to come across all "holier than thou" and that was how it looked on the screen somehow when I read it after I posted it.

I know the folks here see this for what it is, and unfortunately you are right; the AQ/MSM will see it as somehow more important than 4 or 6 or even 20 killed by an IED. It is a sad comment on our current situation with the media in general.

[operation clinton cleanup]

(My Daughter, My Hero, My Soldier, My Friend)

That brings a tear to my eye (well, more than one!)... hope Jen makes it home safe and soon.

[mad_as_he$$]

Semper Fi!

[tongue-tied]

An understandably proud momma. Tell her thanks from me as well, and pass a salute.

[Zman]

I agree; (but go easy on the use of Zman)

[TXnMA]

Fox News reported that we air-whomped an "insurgent command center" in the immediate area of where the Cobra took fire -- with a couple of 500 pounders. Hope we "got some"...

[ChadGore]

Wait wait wait . . this can not be . . . liberal leaders across the USA have assured me that there is no al-Qaida in Iraq.

BUSH WAS RIGHT !

[rangerric]

My best friend and "brother" Maj Gerald Bloomfield USMC was the pilot of this bird........... his services are being planned by the rest of the family - Arlington will be his destination. He "gave em some" repeatedly and with great fervor and frequency since this 4th tour began in Aug.

Our prayers go out to family of "The Beav"s co-pilot as well as to the family of the LT who was KIA enroute to the crash site.......................

It sounds as if there was a rather long line awaiting the "virgins" after all was said and done.

[USMCPOP]

I am very sorry to hear that about your friend. I was informed about Capt. Martino earlier, as his parents were notified by our Reserve unit in Lynchburg.

---

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Maj. Gerald M. Bloomfield II, 38, of Ypsilanti, Mich.
Capt. Michael D. Martino, 32, of Fairfax, Va.

Both Marines died Nov. 2 when their AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Both Marines were with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II MEF (Forward).
The crash is currently under investigation.

[rangerric]

Bloomfield and Martino - what a team! I received a note from Iraq that the 336 named a baseball diamond after these two. Delivering the "message" is tough duty. i have done it frequently myself - especially during deployment in New Orleans the last couple months.
The Arlington ceremony was truly beyond words! A few corks were tossed with the Corps Aviators and wives who atended the after wake social. We did have Jerry shipped home to Elkhart for a local service after he was released from Dover. Now this was a whole different story........the Westboro Baptist Church protest group showed up! Thank God I was notified by local law enforcement 24 hrs before the service....we scrambled between 200-300 Korea and Nam Vets, Freedom Riders and an assortment of the "old guard" as well - they provided a slient vigil in honor of Jerry......occupying the sidewalks as intended - and preventing the lunatics from KS access to Jerry's widow and the rest of the family. Mission accomplished!

[McGavin999]

Thank you for doing that.

[USMCPOP]

Yes, thank you, indeed!