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DJIBOUTI: TWO US MARINE CHOPPERS CRASH OFF A COAST February 18, 2006
Apunyu Bonny
(SomaliNet) At least ten people are feared dead when Two U.S. Marine Corps helicopters crashed into the water off the coast of Djibouti late Friday. Two of the 12 people aboard the choppers were rescued and the search continued for the 10 others, the Pentagon reported.
According to Pentagon officials, there was no indication that hostile fire played any role in the crash of the two CH-53E helicopters. Each of the helicopters was carrying a crew of six. However, no other details were immediately available.
Djibouti is along the Gulf of Aden near the Horn of Africa. The United States operates a military base in the country, Camp Lemonier, where the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africais based. The task force's mission is to prevent terrorists from infiltrating the strategic area adjacent to the Middle East.