I wonder if these DHL pilots bid for this line into Bagdad or were they on reserve......
SAM Hits Cargo Jet, 3 Dead as Ops Continue in Iraq
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2003 -- Baghdad International Airport was closed to all civilian traffic after a DHL cargo aircraft was hit by surface-to-air missiles Nov. 22, coalition officials said during a press conference today in Baghdad, Iraq.
Three U.S. soldiers also were killed in Iraq, said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7. Kimmitt said gunfire was involved in the deaths of the soldiers, but would not comment further.
Coalition officials said the airport will continue to receive military flights, but flights by civilian aircraft carrying military supplies and humanitarian goods cannot use the facility. Kimmitt said the civilian DHL aircraft reported an emergency south of Baghdad and made an emergency landing. The three-member crew is safe, he said.
The plane apparently was hit by a surface-to-air missile launched for an area south of the airport. There was extensive damage to the left wing of the aircraft, Kimmitt said. U.S. Air Force personnel are investigating the incident.
SAM Hits Cargo Jet, 3 Dead as Ops Continue in Iraq
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2003 -- Baghdad International Airport was closed to all civilian traffic after a DHL cargo aircraft was hit by surface-to-air missiles Nov. 22, coalition officials said during a press conference today in Baghdad, Iraq.
Three U.S. soldiers also were killed in Iraq, said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations director for Combined Joint Task Force 7. Kimmitt said gunfire was involved in the deaths of the soldiers, but would not comment further.
Coalition officials said the airport will continue to receive military flights, but flights by civilian aircraft carrying military supplies and humanitarian goods cannot use the facility. Kimmitt said the civilian DHL aircraft reported an emergency south of Baghdad and made an emergency landing. The three-member crew is safe, he said.
The plane apparently was hit by a surface-to-air missile launched for an area south of the airport. There was extensive damage to the left wing of the aircraft, Kimmitt said. U.S. Air Force personnel are investigating the incident.
