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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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RIP and Semper Fi Marines! For the rest of the political B.S. on this post, can we give it a rest, and respect the families and the corps that are reeling from this?
Chuckler that is terrible my cousin was the pilot that went down RIP Danny
chuckler that is terrible My cousin was the pilot on that helicopter RIP Danny
Briancana...so sorry for your loss...tell your family I appreciate his service, although I am sure that won't help in your grief.
Update six Marines Killed by Obama in Afghanistan. Rats taken from Tents in D. C. alive in families, given Obama care and transported across state lines alive to live in Virginia Homes. Problem is Socialist president can only sing but not understand the economy. Other news: Six American Children President in war put to death of pissing on dead while President pisses on Americans at home.
Chuckler and Josh-X042 - There's nothing "funny" about this subject - How quickly you forget what happened on 11 September 2011...
Recap – their terrorists attacked our home-land cowardly targeting and killing many of our innocent. This could have been YOU/YOUR loved ones too had YOU/YOUR loved ones happened to be at any of those locations that day; and I guarantee you the terrorists did not feel/show any remorse/respect what so ever for any innocent they knew they would kill…
Apparently by your non-sense candy-ass comments it appears that you are of the type that would rather sit and do nothing about it – Another dead weight, wasting valuable oxygen/space by-standard. Lesson for you – It is always better to take the fight to your enemy rather than fight it in your own backyard.
Those 6 U.S. Marines died (in selfless efforts) so that you can have the freedom of sitting on your face and TRY to disgrace their memories – because that is part of what our freedoms allow you to do. Whose side are you on??? If you have problems with the idea of U.S. Marines protecting YOUR backyard by taking the fight to our/YOUR enemy - there's the door, don't let it slam you on the ass!!!
If you don't have anything nice to say about the people that protect YOU/YOUR loved ones then grab a dirty sock, stuff it in your smack hole, wrap some duck tape around your head and keep it in place; But don't try to tarnish our service men's/women's great accomplishments or disrespect their families with your ignorance.
Next time put some boots on, pick up a weapon, and stand a post before you decide to talk trash…
Semper Fi!