Soldier Aboard C-130 Killed, Another Dies in Rocket Attack

[seruriermarshal]

Soldier Aboard C-130 Killed, Another Dies in Rocket Attack
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Two U.S. soldiers were killed today in Iraq, coalition military officials in Baghdad announced.

A coalition C-130 Hercules transport aircraft leaving Baghdad International Airport about 5 p.m. was hit by small-arms fire, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, Multinational Force Iraq deputy operations director, said in a written statement issued by the coalition press office. A soldier aboard the aircraft was wounded. The aircraft returned to the airport. The soldier received medical treatment, but later died. The C-130 was not significantly damaged, Kimmitt's statement said.

Another soldier was killed in a rocket attack two hours earlier at a coalition base in Baghdad, the press office announced.

The names of both soldiers are being withheld until their families are notified.

Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division and an explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed an improvised explosive device near Baqubah this morning, the press office reported. The soldiers discovered an artillery round connected to a keyless car remote device. No casualties were reported during the detonation.

An Iraqi citizen turned in 110 anti-personnel mines and two anti-tank mines to the 1st Infantry Division the evening of June 26, the coalition press office reported today. Soldiers secured the mines for destruction.

The press office also reported today that Iraqi police and area hospitals now report that 23 people were killed and 58 were wounded after two car bombs exploded near the former Saddam Hussein mosque in Hillah the night of June 26. Earlier reports had set the death toll at 40.

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From (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2004/n06272004_2004062705.html)

REGIMENTAL PRAYER

Almighty, merciful, and loving Father,
you are the one who hears all our prayers and grants our petitions.

We ask you to remember, as we do,
the tremendous sacrifice made by those who went before us.
They have given their lives so that we might live and breathe freely.
We ask you to receive them into your hands.

Father, give us the strength and wisdom to learn from their example,
to uphold freedom and life at home and around the world.

Keep us vigilant as we guard the frontiers of freedom.

Give our leaders the wisdom and the strength to lead well.

Grant all of us courage and confidence.
Be, for all of us, troopers, a wise counsel in keeping peace
and a strong shield for us against our enemies.
Oh heavenly Father, give us the determination
that the peace and freedom won at such a high price be lasting!

Father, hold all of the troopers in the palm of your almighty hand
and protect them in the shadow of your wings.

Amen.

[2RHPZ]

RIP


One dead as RAAF Hercules attacked
June 28, 2004

An American contractor died after an Australian air force Hercules was hit by ground fire shortly after taking off from Baghdad airport.

American military officials have said the RAAF C-130 transporter had left Baghdad airport and was about 20km out when it was hit.

The passenger was treated by medical personnel at the airport but died soon after.

The C-130 was later deemed airworthy and flew to its base in the Middle East.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said he was relieved there were no Australian casualties in the attack.

He said he had extended his condolences to the family of the dead man.

Deputy director of US-led military operations in Baghdad, Brigadier Mark Kimmitt, said there was no significant damage to the aircraft.

Defence Force spokesman Brigadier Mike Hannan also confirmed no Australians were injured in the attack, but it showed just how dangerous the situation was for them.

"They take every precaution to see to the safety of themselves, their aircraft and obviously their passengers," he told Sky News.

"It does underline the fundamental danger of the place."

He said Australian troops had no role in securing Baghdad airport but were responsible for air traffic control there.

"The air force crews take extreme precautions to minimise the risk and make sure that they fly under the safest possible conditions, but it's a dangerous place and there is always the possibility that something like this can happen," he said.

The reported attack on the Hercules follows a mortar attack on an Australian base in Iraq on Saturday.

No Australian troops were injured in that incident at a base where they were training the Iraqi military near the northern city of Mosul.

Prime Minister John Howard yesterday said the mortar attack was a reminder that Australian soldiers were involved in dangerous work.

"It's a reminder that they're doing dangerous, very important work," Mr Howard said.

"It just brings home to us that this is not a picnic, it's very hard and it's very dangerous and they're very brave."

[n4292936]

it was an Australian c130 that was hit, but an American that died. :(

[edit] oh right, I guess I shoulda read the above article before I posted