CENTCOM NEWS RELEASE

October 26, 2003
Release Number: 03-10-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UH-60 HELICOPTER HIT WITH RPG, DOWNED

BAGHDAD, Iraq - On 25 Oct, at approximately 4 p.m., one of two UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopters assigned to the 3-158th Aviation Regiment, 12th Aviation Brigade, while performing a reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Tikrit, was hit in one of its engines by a rocket propelled grenade.

The crew was able to perform a controlled emergency landing. However, once on the ground the helicopter caught fire and was destroyed. All five members of the crew were able to exit the aircraft and move to safety. One of the crew suffered minor leg injuries due to shrapnel. The second UH-60 landed and picked up the crew and flew them to an aid station. The wounded soldier was treated and returned to duty.

Two AH-64D Apache helicopters in the area were given the location where the engagement took place. Upon their arrival, they observed two vehicles appearing to flee the area. The vehicles were forced to stop, and 1-22d Infantry personnel took an unknown number of suspects into custody.

The remainder of the downed aircraft was removed by elements of the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.