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Subscribe to RSSSix United States Marines were killed when their helicopter went down in Southern Afghanistan. An investigation is under way, but U.S. military officials say there was no evidence of enemy activity in the area. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
Updated at 3:33 a.m. ET: A helicopter crash in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan killed six U.S. Marines, the NATO military command in Kabul told NBC News early Friday.
Officials said there were no signs of enemy activity in the area at time of the crash.
The Marines have a substantial presence in Helmand province.
"We are still in the process of gathering more information on the incident," an official told Reuters.
It is the worst crash since last August when 30 soldiers, including 22 elite Navy SEAL commandos, died when their helicopter came down in eastern Afghanistan.
The Helmand helicopter crash occurred on the same day seven civilians were killed outside a crowded gate at Kandahar Air Field, a sprawling base for U.S. and NATO operations, after a suicide attacker set off a vehicle laden with explosives. The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying they were targeting a NATO convoy.
On Wednesday, 13 civilians, including three Afghan policemen, were killed when a suicide attacker blew himself up in a bazaar in Helmand province. At least 22 others were wounded in the blast in Kajaki district.
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NBC News, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Hope they were wearing their rain gear.........(wouldn't want any Afghans peeing on their dead bodies......)
A few bad apples in a situation you would NEVER understand! Coward and hack is what you are, I hope you rot in hell with the ones that were peed on.
Semper Fi my brothers, guard the gates to Heaven!
Prayers for the families. Chuckler you can suck it loser; obviously you don't have the balls to even be in thier boots, so keep your @!$%#ing stupid comments to yourself and go back to cruising for kiddy porn or protesting, or what ever it is you pussies do.
Hey chucler nothing funny about 6 dead marines? Their deaths are on Obama's head he has had 3 years to end the quagmire in Afghaniistan and still has more troops there than when he took office Jan 20 2010! STOP dragging your feet Obama NOTHING IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED!!
Yeah, It was a wild accusation........I mean where would Afghans even get a crazy idea like that, right?......
what a crap reply....I would hope that if they ever found out that a Taliban was behind the attack they would cut off the Talibans head and piss down there throat and than we would be even for the pissing on the dead body thing.
He is in the process of "Cutting and Running" as we speak
What kind of anti-American @!$%# are you anyway? Dumbass!
I never respond to these articles such as these, but "Chuckler's" comments are too reprehensible to be ignored. You, Sir or Madame, are a flaming @!$%# who deserves what you will get when you meet your Maker. How can you possibly attempt what you, presumably, think is humor, when six GI's have given their lives for the rest of us. There is no one more contemptible than you, with the possible exception of Jane Fonda. Even she was not as grossy crass as you.
What the fnck are you talking about? I said it would be BAD if they got peed on, remember?
Trolls are trolls, quit feeding the troll by reacting to what he or she says.
None of you are any better for freaking out wishing the same upon him his joke served in dishonoring those marines. You spit on their sacrifice when you show them just exactly what they actually gave life and liberty away to save in this country.
Chucler ...Smith is right you are a pussy.
...and three months ago, pee wouldn't have even been in the conversation.......
No, there is nothing funny about 6 dead marines - however, there is nothing funny about US soldiers pissing on dead enemy bodies either. If we expect these people to treat our dead with respect then you have to show them the same courtesy.
Why's everyone so upset about Chuckler's funny and true comment? It's nothing to get pissed off about.
chuckler-3100463 Hey why don't you make your little pissing on dead marines joke in front of some live Marines funny guy? Easy being so brave behind a keyboard.
Oh, Would they "beat the piss out of me"? (remember now, I said peeing on dead marines would be BAD; as in not good.......you caught that, right?)
What a low life Troll. Too bad the Taliban cant cant chop your head off, Loser.
RIP Marines
Everyone just got trolled by Chuckler. Good play man, but that ain't cool. You got your rise out of people now bug off please. Folks, you were baited by someone who is playing off your sensitivity to the situation. This is a common tactic and is called "trolling." It's done to get a rise out of people for their amusement and at your expense.
Did anyone catch where I said IT WOULD BE BAD TO PISS ON DEAD MARINES?!?!?! Or are you all illiterate?
LOL! whoops......sorry.........I guess you are.........
pfft, I thought it was funny. What's even funnier is some of these people's reactions. Funny that some people still seem to think that our troops are over there risking their lives to protect our freedoms, way of life, and all that jazz. No, they're not. They are following orders; they're just tools for the US government and whatever agenda our glorious leaders have in mind over there. And I'm pretty sure no one here can tell us all what the @!$%# we are still doing, or ever were doing over there. Not to mention a good number of those "brave men and women" probably joined up to kill some "rag heads" and "sand @!$%#s"; oh...and lets not forget to piss on their bodies afterwards.
You live by the gun, you die by the gun! That's war people! You only get one chance. This aint no video game. Go to war, don't expect to come back in one piece, unless you're really lucky.
Rest in peace Marines. My sympathy to the families of these brave warriors.
Funny how last week marines were exposed for pizzing on the dead and now we have this.
RIP, and I hope no one is taking a pizz on them.
Have respect for the dead, and pull out all these troops, and now.
(....and this comment didn't get collapsed?...I seriously said the same thing!...)
Let's not forget they did not die! They were killed, the outcome from taking on an enemy RPG and crashing to their deaths... Lets get back to basics here.
Actually, there is nothing funny about this whatsoever. RIP Marines
More americans dead because we are in a stupid war. If Obama had just gotten out they would be alive, the US would be less in debt. And this is the president that got the peace prize. Should have gotten the War prize instead.
I second that , Jeff. Semper Fi Marines..
Rest in peace. Semper Fidelis.
RIP brothers.
Semper Fidelis
I feel bad that americans are still in that crap hole...enough is enough...
I am so tired of losing our brave men and women in countries that will never become anything other than what they are already. It makes no difference how much time, money or blood is shed by our own. The only countries that will ever be free and prosper will be the ones that do it for themselves!
God Bless those lost in the line of duty to our way of life, our prayers go out to those family members of the fallen.
semper fi
What an unfortunate situation, hope it was quick and painless. Rest in peace Marines.
I hope these boys are free and bathed in the spiritual world's light of peace. To their families my sympathy and hope for their recovery and healing.
When you put your hand in a bucket of water and then pull it out you don't leave a hole. When a Brother Marine dies whether in combat, accident, or just old age there is a hole left in the body of the CORPS. Semper Fi!! My prayers go the the families of the fallen. God Bless.
............and we're STILL in this asinine war.............why???????????
Utter insanity. Condolences to the families of the fallen whose lives also have been ruined.
Why are we still in this war??? Because Obama was put into office. As far as I can tell, Obama hasn't kept any of his campaign promises other than CHANGE. Yeah, unfortunately, the CHANGE was for the WORSE. May our fallen rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior, and may their deaths not be for naught. May the families of those lost be comforted with knowing their loved ones are now in a better place.
I support the troops and not the war! so I will fund it . what a joke. Man up betches. Its killing and your proud of it! If you fund you enjoy the idea of it. There is no either or. Thats a mind game that has no play. Its like I fight for peace. Give me a break.
If McCain were the current President, we'd be losing dozens of Marines every day. As long as they keep claiming that they are keeping me safe, that would be fine with me. One day they'll wake up and realize that they are being used and brainwashed into doing the bidding of the Plutocrats and banksters. I'll protect my freedoms myself, thank you.
if it were not for the political bs involved this war might have been over 5 yrs ago. but we have our own government obviously giving aid to the enemy in hopes it doesnt fall into the hands of an even worse enemy.[Pakistan]cut the crap, end to the case. Call pakistan and iran's bluff. tell then to get it right or else. bomb them into submission, all done. troops come home, get the next show on the road. the only thing is, Nobama is too busy kissing chinas rump, and peeing down his leg eevery time putin says something to him. Get a real president into office, and unleash the beast, get rid of TSA or tone it down a notch. Put ICE to work doing its job, rouning up illegals. close the border along mexico. Tresspassers Will Be Shot sign makers can go back in buisness. and get rid of all the czars and other idiots in office who are "unaccountable" for theor screwups. Get this nation in the right dorection, balanced economy, and re-open shop with an attitude to kick ass like we used to have buisness wise. a lot of buisness took a belt like it or not. some need to tighten the belt a little while longer, so we can get jobs going, then talk $$.
nope too busy squbbleing like hens. when was the last time anyone has seen a union take its cut? and you griep about buisness? every union i have been in either drove a company into the ground, or spent pension and other funds to get certain officals elected, who i personaaly loath. thats where your union dues go, and your pension, a part of it. as your union boss how much $$ went into lobbying, propaganda, and so on on your unions behalf see if you get a strait answer.
Semper Fi <3
Everyone just got trolled by Chuckler. Good play man, but that ain't cool. You got your rise out of people now bug off please. Folks, you were baited by someone who is playing off your sensitivity to the situation. This is a common tactic and is called "trolling." It's done to get a rise out of people for their amusement and at your expense.
Chuckler, you are a true piece of s#%t. RIP Marines...we love you all.
Why? Because I think pissing on dead marines is bad? Would you rather have them pissed on?
dam whitewoman, that's some sick shyt.....
Crawl back under your bridge Chucktard, you troll.
Chuckler- A lot of times I think your funny, in a sick way, but this time your not! Just put on your big boy pants and apologize! Rest in peace to our brave soldiers, and my thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends. Very sad!
I'm not going to apologize for saying "peeing on dead Marines is bad"!
chuckler-3100463: I understood your comment and all. Being a Marine it did not upset me do to I understood what you were talking about and you said"wouldn't want any Afghans peeing on their dead bodies"
What you fail to understand is this page is about Dead US Marines and sorry, but this page is not for making funny jokes or comments on. If you want to make jokes and funny comments about that go to that page and post all you want... Less likely to upset people.
Hey the chuckler is right on you go brother semper fi these marines aren't protecting anybody if you have enough time to pull down your paints and expose yourself and deficate on dead bodys what a shame you get 0 credit for that.
What are we still doing in this waste land? These 6 Marines would be alive and well not to mention the thousands of others. We went to kill ben laden well he is dead and gone now we are stuck in a no win situation just like Vietnam and people just sit there and go god bless and all that. I served 2 years 12 days straight in Vietnam and I will tell you if you don't have a mission then you are just fuc_ing the dog and wasting lives,limbs,time and money for what freedom these towel heads don't know freedom. As far as a threat 911 was a fluke and the industrial military complex has us all afraid B>S> . We better wake up the former Soviet Union collapsed over Afghanistan now where are we the same place. Einstein once said the definition of insantity is to the same thing over and expect a different result. I am sorry for the 6 marines but they aren't the last until we wake up and get the hell out of that country. Sorry just venting against the military industrial complex.
Jim you speak the Truth.
You are mistaken. You are in error. These "towel heads" as you, 'cap wearer' so arrogantly and demeaningly call them, know all about freedom. They sacrificed over 5million of their loved ones, men women and children, in their fight for freedom against the Soviet invader...and won.
They are now fighting against the Christian Crusader and will continue to do so till victory or death.
You are wrong and have failed to understand their love for freedom and capacity to fight for it, till the persecutor and persecution is no more.
Further, in your presumption, ignorance, arrogance and lack of knowledge of the enemy or of warfare, you underestimate the "towel heads" and their resolve, fighting skills and spirit of freedom...you have no idea what freedom means to them. They understand freedom far more than you ever will.
They will fight for freedom for forever if need be. They love freedom at any cost. They love freedom beyond measure. They will win.
I can see what you mean. Bin Laden looked like a tuff guy with an eyball shot out of his skull. He didn't look like he won to me...........he looked like a loser kind of like your post.
Hamzsque El Sid313!*
Your right, the Afgans did withstand the soviets so i'm guessing had they really wanted to do anything about the taliban they could have very easily. We sometimes forget that just because women and children are being mistreated that doesn't mean the country isn't run by the majorities wishes.
Never looked at it like that, but I see it now, again whats an atrocity to us is just the way they want it. If we like it or not it's their country and as you said if they could defeat the soviets they could have beaten the taliban but never even lifted a finger to do so. Guess maybe they had the government they wanted and we butted in and gave them the biggest crook of all, karzi, a great way to influence friends. No wonder we get no cooperation, we havn't done them any justice at all.
Just one more reason we need to stay out of countries with cultures we have no clue about!
You have grasped the truth. However let me add that the Taliban are Afghans, the orphaned children of the Mujh the Soviets killed...they understand how precious freedom is and what happens when it is lost.
The perceived schism between the Taliban and Afghans is an illusion the western press and propaganda machine has created...there is no difference whatsoever. They are the same people. Same for Pakistan. It is like the Mason-Dixon line. Essentially the same people...minor, marginal differences. They go far more back than the Mason-Dixon, thousands of years back - one people.
As for their women. They love their women: Mothers, sisters, daughters, wives. That is natural and human. What the west sees is not the truth but the fog of cultural differences augmented by the demonizing propaganda machine.
The Afghans too think that western women are cruelly exploited and used by western men...prostitutes and whores, loose women to be used and left with fatherless children and for lascivious ogling and prone to adultery.
That's the view from the other side. As I said it is a matter of perception and culture. But you have already noted that much. Travel and education is a great illusion buster.
What you describe are the dead remains of a soldier, a beloved ingenious commander and inspirer of thousands if not millions - assassinated in his home, in his bedroom. That is how death looks like, loser or victor.
And that is the reason Americans are not shown their dead...it would demoralise them into depression and catatonia. And the same reason their returning crippled and maimed are sequestered. And the dead are sanitized and beautified. Death is not pretty. Nor is defeat.
A Loser or victor is measured by what one accomplishes and leaves behind. OBL fulfilled all his vows to avenge the desecration of Islam and killing of Muslims by the Western NeoCon ZioNazi Christo Fascist powers.
OBL effectively devastated the American financial and economic structure and reduced one of the greatest nations in the world into a pauper people. He cowed down a brave and courageous generous proud people into homeless, fearful, anxious, apprehensive, cowardly nation who let themselves and their children be grouped when ever they travel and give up their freedoms for a false illusion of security.
He made world hate and despise Americans with a visceral hate. He changed the mighty dollar into toilet paper. And most of all he abrogated the much wonted US Constitution in to an impotent piece of scrap paper.
What does it matter what he looked like in death...in life he was a revered Prince and feared advisery, and in history and imagination he will always be alive and vibrate in the minds of friend and foes.
Everyone dies. We will all die. Even you. So why the braggadocio. You as a man are not worth the equivalent of his clipped toe nail.
As for my post, it is irrelevant in this context...nor did it reference OBL even once. Yet he obviously lives in your mind and haunts your soul, for you obsess about him in your post - even as he lives in the minds of most Americans, and in the minds of very many peoples of the world.
My son has now served in the Marines six years and has had four tours of those God-forsaken hellholes (his words) in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. I absolutely hate to see the continuing bad news about the loss of our brave young men and women in these endless and senseless wars. Thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends. Rest in Peace.
Let your son know we are proud of him and all he represents.
Semper Fi
Your son should stop re-enlisting if he hates where he is sent. Duh.
That was disrespectful, Glockhead..try to be grateful and not such an ass.
bluepanther20 ... Thank you for your support. Some people just have to make snide remarks and have no sense of what it takes for someone to lay their life on the line for their country. My son, thankfully, has been stateside for several months and I hope he and his wife can have some well earned time together. Peace and prayers to the families who just suffered the loss of their loved ones. It's a tragedy for everyone.
I lived there for a few years. Really, he's not far off. They are hellholes.
rest in peace brothers.
My first thought was how the men and equipment are both worn out. Isn't it time to come home now ?
When were done in Afghanistan we still have Iran to invade, so get used to seeing the debt, the dead and the blood.
Peace isn't profitable baby.
Live by the sword, expect to die by the sword. I have no remorse for these people. They reaped what they sowed.
If the Air Force had been flying this wouldn't have happened.
actually the air force crashed a helicopter just a month or two ago.
Helicopters are unsafe compared to almost any other means of transportation.
It's a shame our soldiers have to use them, sort of like jeeps in world war two. The jeeps were not quite as bad, maybe.
Ummmm no.... helicopters are very reliable modes of transport. Check your facts
I Wonder. That is simply not true I worked on them in the usmc for 4 years check the flight hours compared to fixed wing and see who has a greater fail rate.
Iwonder...I was a helicopter pilot in the Korean war and we lost very few to normal operations. 99% of our losses were from enemy fire. I was lucky to have made it thru, but that was a long time ago and they are much more sophisticated and complex now. Now i just fly my easychair.
The difference is that a helicopter stays aloft by beating the air into submission and has the aerodynamic properties of a rock.
The only way we can ensure their survival is to pull the troops out of the unconstitutional wars. The cost is too great, in both lives, and in dollars. We're done in Afghanistan. It's time to get out. Ron Paul 2012.
Would everyone just stop with the nonsense. We can't just leave, and pretend things will be the same. If you live in a house, and one room is infested with snakes, do you just shut the door and say, ah, as long as we stay out here, we will be fine. The world is a small place, and there is more happening around your American Idol viewings than you obviously realize. Just shut up, enjoy your Kardashians re-runs, and we will continue to make this a safe place for you. No thanks needed, I volunteered..
get----Thank you for serving
You don't know anything about snakes son ... vietnam was loaded with them. But your comparison is absurd ... remember we invaded Afghanistan and we can withdraw anytime we choose to do so.
Is it? You can fill that room with puple unicorns for all I care JUD, you obviously missed the point. Now go sit in the corner and finish coloring. Go ahead, sit down at your VFW and chat up whats wrong with the world. Problem is JUD, it's not the same world you remember. I'm tired of spoon feeding people that THINK they know what is actually happening. If you can't figure it out, I'm certainly not going to educate you.
I do note your condescending use of "son", but unless you are a Korean War veteran, I doubt you would qualify as my Father.
Too many Poppy--Plants........ to simply walk away.... The Military Industrial Complex, at it's finest....
Any other non contributors wanna chime in? Top Chef is on right now, you're probably missing it, now run along....
Yeah, getAcluemoron and get out of Afghanistan if you can't beat 20,000 Taleban with your huge tanks, missile laden robots, F-18s, Apaches, 300,000 regulars and mercenaries in now ten plus years. Sounds like you are the one in TV fiction land.
I appreciate what you do, get..
Glock...STFU...
They may be only 20,000 and lightly armed, but they are the toughest, meanist, most skilled and courageous warriors in the world, ever. Marines, special forces, etc. are NO match...if it was NOT for the USAF and satellite technology it would be all over by now. As it is, it almost is...
Time to stop the braggadocio...there is NO contest. US forces are completely outclassed. Better to come home alive than in a body bag.
No offence meant. Just sad and disgusted about how the ZioNazi controlled Military Industrial Complex is exploiting false patriotism and innocent lives to get rich quick...laughing all the way to the bank, while the duped lick their wounds and bury their dead with meaningless trinkets and hypocritical prayers...and stare at empty chairs at dinner.
Those bragging here, have no sense and no knowledge of war, and believe not what I say...they better go enlist and walk the walk rather than punch keyboards in cowardly anonymity.
Get A Clue You Moron,
Your post only proves your Intellectual Ineptness.... I would wager good money, that your IQ matches your screen name... only a few points above 70.... Possibly following your advice of, "Get a Clue You Moron".... Ciao