U.S. soldier killed, 12 wounded in downed aircraft incident

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: One U.S. service member was killed and 12 others were injured when a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter went down inside of Joint Base Balad at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday, the U.S. army said. “The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense,” read a U.S. army statement received by Iraqi News. “The cause of the incident is unknown and is under investigation. More information will be released as soon as it becomes available,” it added. The death brings to eight the number of U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq this month, and to 4,344 the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, including 124 in 2009. A total of 486 U.S. troops were killed in 2003, while 849 died in 2004. Other 846 troops were killed in 2005, and 822 soldiers in 2006. The year 2007 remains the year that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 904. November 2004, which witnessed fierce battles between U.S. forces and armed groups in Falluja city, Anbar province, remains the month that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 137. SS (S) 1