Media: AFP
Byline: n/a
Date: 10 August 2006

BAGHDAD, Aug 10, 2006 (AFP) - The bodies of the two missing servicemen from
a US Blackhawk helicopter that crashed in a waterway in western Iraq have
been recovered, the military said Thursday.

The helicopter crashed Tuesday in western Iraq's Al-Anbar province after
experiencing technical problems.

Four of the six crew members survived while two had gone missing and a team
of divers was despatched Wednesday to search for them.

"The two have been recovered. They are dead," said US military spokesman
Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson.

Confirmation of the deaths followed the overnight announcment that three
more US soldiers were killed Wednesday in Al-Anbar "due to enemy action".

The latest deaths brought the US military's death toll in Iraq since the
March 2003 invasion to 2,596, according to an AFP count based on Pentagon
figures.

The military has ruled out enemy action for the helicopter's crash in the
Anbar province -- a bastion of Sunni insurgency against the US troops.

The UH60 Blackhawk was attached to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The 130,000-strong US force in Iraq relies extensively on helicopters to
transport troops and supplies, survey territory and carry out air strikes on
insurgent forces.

Many of the roads around the country are not regarded as safe for ground
convoys because of the risk of roadside bombs and ambushes.

Poor bastards.
Rest in peace.