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U.S. Military Plane Crashes in Afghanistan, 3 Killed
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The
cause of the crash of U.S. Air Force MC-130 “Talon” is not
known |
WASHINGTON,
June 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A U.S. Air Force MC-130
transport plane crashed in Afghanistan with 10 people aboard, killing
three and leaving seven with injuries, the U.S. Defense Department
said Wednesday, June 12.
The
U.S. Central Command, which controls U.S. military operations in
Afghanistan, said earlier Wednesday that the seven survivors “have
been transferred to the medical facility at Kandahar for treatment.”
“The
remaining three service members from today’s MC-130 crash in
Afghanistan were killed in the accident,” U.S. Central Command said
in a statement from its Tampa, Florida headquarters, Agence
France-Presse (AFP) reported.
“Remains
have been recovered and will be prepared for shipment back to the
United States. Names are being withheld pending next of kin
notification.”
The
plane crashed on takeoff “near the Bande Sardeh dam,”
approximately 56 kilometers (35 miles) southwest of Gardez in Paktia
province, according to a brief statement issued by the Pentagon.
“The
cause of the crash is not known at this time, although it does not
appear to be the result of hostile fire,” the command’s earlier
statement said.
The
MC-130 “Talon,” according to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet,
“provide(s) infiltration, ex-filtration and re-supply of special
operations forces and equipment in hostile ... territory.”
It
is predominantly used in Afghanistan to refuel the helicopters
operated by the U.S. Special Forces in its offensive against Taliban
and Al-Qaeda targets.
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