HELICOPTERS SEEM VULNERABLE IN THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT

Whereas, on a traditional battlefield, where we command the momentum and apply pressure to the enemy, helicopters seem to to all right.

A U.S. military helicopter crashed into the Euphrates River on Wednesday, killing its two pilots. The craft was burning as it went down after an explosion, witnesses said, but the military said the cause of the crash was not known.

The U.S. military has lost 15 helicopters since the occupation began in May - mostly to hostile fire. Sixty-two Americans have died in the crashes.

The OH-58 Kiowa helicopter from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Carson, Colo., went down about 1:50 p.m. near Haditha, 120 miles northwest of the capital, and was lying on its side in the Euphrates, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said. He said it was not immediately known whether mechanical failure or enemy fire caused the crash.