CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar - A U.S. Super Cobra attack
helicopter crashed early Saturday in central
Iraq, killing two Marine pilots, the Central Command said.
The cause of the crash of the AH-1W gunship was under
investigation, but it did not appear to have gone down as a result
of hostile fire, the command said.
Names of the two Marines were withheld pending notification of
relatives.
The Super Cobra is primarily used for fire support and security
for forward and rear-area forces. It is usually used to escort
other assault helicopters and their forces. It is capable of both
land- or sea-based operations.
Built by Bell Helicopter Textron, of Forth Worth, Texas, the
AH-1W can defend against tanks, helicopters and personnel. Each
AH-1W costs $10.7 million.
In the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Super Cobras destroyed Iraqi 97
tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and
two anti-aircraft artillery sites; none crashed or were shot down,
the Marines said.
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