Jeez. Unbelievable.
A U.S. Marine helicopter crash in western Iraq early this morning killed more than 30 Marines, the Associated Press reported, quoting U.S. officials. Another five troops died in combat today as violence accelerated in advance of Sunday's election.
A military statement in Iraq said a search and rescue operation was under way after a transport helicopter went down near Ar Rutbah at about 1:20 a.m. Baghdad time. There was no official announcement of the toll, but military officials said earlier that 31 Marines were killed.
The CH-53 helicopter was being flown by members of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, who were transporting personnel of the 1st Marine Division. A senior administration official told the AP there was bad weather in the desert at the time of the crash but added, "I have not heard anybody attribute a cause."
Yeah. That's what it was: bad weather. Right.
President Bush, asked at a news conference about the incident, said the Defense Department was investigating. "Obviously, any time that we lose life it is a sad moment," Bush said.
Obviously.
Does anyone else get the sense that he really doesn't care anymore. Obviously.
Of the five troops who died elsewhere, four were Marines who were conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Anbar Province where the city of Fallujah is located. The military provided no detail.
The fifth was a soldier in the Army's 1st Infantry Division who died near Tikrit when insurgents attacked his combat patrol with rocket-propelled grenades about 11:20 a.m. Two other soldiers were wounded in the assault, one of whom was reported in serious condition, according to the U.S. military.
This kicks total US casualties up 1417. Unbelievable. I hope this isn't a new tactic insurgency is adopting.
What really kills me is Bush's glibness. Well, obviously there is sadness over any loss of life?
Obviously? Thank you, Mr. President, for putting it all in context for us.