US & Afghanistan - Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan

February 17, 2007

Sunday, 18 February 2007, 05:35 GMT

Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan

The US-led coalition has said one of its helicopters has crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan after reporting engine failure. The helicopter is reported to be an American Chinook, but the coalition did not give any more details. An operation has been mounted to locate and rescue the helicopter's occupants. Coalition and Nato forces have lost several helicopters in Afghanistan in the last few years but only one is thought to have been shot down. " It was not enemy fire related, " Col Tom Collins, of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying. " The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We're confident it was not due to enemy action. " The helicopter crashed in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province, residents told Reuters news agency. The province borders Pakistan and has been the scene of Taleban activity recently. Poor weather A Taleban spokesman said the helicopter had been shot down, but the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says they frequently make similar claims that are unfounded. There is no indication as to whether the helicopter was on a military mission. Our correspondent says the helicopter was based in Bagram airbase, near Kabul, where the weather has been poor. But he said the weather further south in Zabul has been clearer. Nato and coalition forces in Afghanistan are bracing for an expected spring offensive from regrouping Taleban fighters.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6372813.stm

US dasha: VE/SA/RA/VE/JU

Combust, retrograde Mercury is over MEP4. Aries rises in D8 & D16.

AFGH dasha: SA/VE/JU/MO/ME

Transit Venus aspects natal Venus. Pisces rises in D4, D11 & D12.

Transit Moon is closely over MEP6. Saggitarius rises in D8, and Leo in D16.

Afflicted, retrograde & badly placed Mercury, L1, is also badly placed, retrograde & combust over MEP6.

Best wishes,

Jorge