3 Ugandan Helicopters headed to Somalia Downed Over Kenya

[AbdiWahab252]

Really, another case of mysterious helicopter crashes in Kenya.


Uganda military helicopters missing en route to Somalia
7:18pm EDT

KAMPALA (Reuters) - A number of Ugandan military helicopters went missing in Kenyan airspace on Sunday on their way to Somalia to reinforce African Union peacekeeping forces battling al Shabaab rebels, the Ugandan military said.

The military said a team of helicopters had left a base in the Ugandan city of Entebbe but that only one had landed in the Kenyan town of Wajir, where they were scheduled to refuel before flying on to Somalia.

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) did not say how many helicopters were missing or how many people were on board.

"The search is going on, we don't know what exactly happened but we are investigating it and we will let you know when I get adequate information," UPDF spokesman Felix Kulayigye told Reuters.

Ugandan troops form the backbone of the African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) in Somalia. The air force said on August7 that it was deploying transport and combat helicopters to Somalia to beef up the force.

Al Shabaab struck the Ugandan capital Kampala in mid-2010 when suicide bombers from the al Qaeda-linked group killed more than 70 people who were watching soccer on television, in revenge for the presence of Ugandan troops in Somalia.

The rebels meted out similar treatment to Kenya, launching a series of grenade attacks that have killed several people, in retaliation for Nairobi sending its troops across the border last October in pursuit of al Shabaab.

The African Union force, which also includes Kenyan and Burundian troops, is planning an onslaught on Somalia's second biggest city Kismayu, which is a hub for the Islamist militants, before August 20.

Weakened by internal divisions and financial constraints, the rebels have surrendered territory in the capital Mogadishu and central and southern Somalia where they are also battling Ethiopian forces.

A U.S.-backed plan calls for Somalia to establish a legitimate government accepted by fractious clans and for a new parliament and constituent assembly to replace institutions plagued by corruption and infighting.

The National Constituent Assembly, sitting in Mogadishu early this month, approved a provisional constitution to replace an 8-year-old Transitional Federal Charter and lead to the end of the transition process on August 20, when the mandate of the U.N.-backed government expires.

(Reporting by Justin Dralaze; Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Alessandra Rizzo and Ralph Gowling)

[Alchemist]

[AbdiWahab252]

Alchemist,

I hope blame is not placed against our Hawiye brothers and sisters of Wajir.

[Alchemist]

Alchemist,

I hope blame is not placed against our Hawiye brothers and sisters of Wajir.

InshAllah bro for now

[AbdiWahab252]

Alchemist,



Abti, have you seen Tiiceey ?

[AbdiWahab252]

3 Choppers downed in Mt. Kenya forest, 1 makes it through


http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/634057- ... known.html


UPDF helicopters crash in Kenya, fate of crew unknownPublish Date: Aug 13, 2012


One of such helicopters in the Ugandan airspace. File photo
newvision
By Vision Reporter

Two of the missing Ugandan attack helicopters which went off the radar on Sunday as they flew to Somalia to shore up the final attack on the port city of Kismayu have been sighted after crashing

The military said four helicopters left a base in Soroti in Eastern Uganda headed for Eldoret with 28 air force officers on board. The fate of ten crew members is unknown.

"The choppers left Soroti on Sunday for Eldoret. They landed successfully. They then left Eldoret for Nanyuki where they were scheduled to refuel before flying to Garissa. The choppers arrived in Nanyuki at 4pm. After that they headed for Garissa and were expected to land at 6pm,” UPDF spokesman Felix Kulayigye said on Monday.

Kulaigye said it was only helicopter number Mi17 that landed successfully in Garissa but reported to have lost contact with the rest of the helicopters.

“One chopper made an emergency landing with no fatalities. However the other two could not be traced,” he said.

Kenya's Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said in a brief statement: "One has been sighted on Mt Kenya and another in Meru area. We are still trying to find out finer details of the crash and the search and rescue missions are on-going."

Last week the Uganda People’s Defence Air Force for the first time sent a contingent of ace pilots to support the ongoing AU peace operations in Somalia.

The air force would provide aerial escort for convoys, reconnaissance operations along the supply routes, medical evacuation, air search and rescue as well as aerial combat against the al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.

The contingent of airmen and women and helicopters was flagged off by the chief of defence forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and the commander of the air force Gen. Jim Owoyesigire.

Aronda handed over the AU flag to the contingent commander Lt. Col. Chris Kaija.

Then, Gen. Owoyesigire said that the utility helicopters would be used to support the ground troops in line with the unapproved mandate for troops deployed in Somalia under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Ugandan troops form the backbone of the AMISOM in Somalia.

[Barmish]

Wajir seem to main base for air force for amison soldier

[Amirsade]

Shaki kuma jiro inay malaaik alle sooriday.

[Rightwing]

Muxuu kani la bood boodayaa??
Ugandians kept life-support machine on Somalia XAQIIRYAHAW

[AbdiWahab252]

Rightwing,

Life support ? It was AHLU SUNNAH WAL JAMEECA which kept life support on Without the Qaddriya, they would be in Hargeisa.

[Rightwing]

Rightwing,

Life support ? It was AHLU SUNNAH WAL JAMEECA which kept life support on Without the Qaddriya, they would be in Hargeisa.

Inaa lilaahu wa inaa lilaahu raajucuun. Without AMISON this time Alhu suna Leeders would have been Mrs Ina-godane 1,2,3,4, and five.

[AbdiWahab252]

Rightwing,

I doubt it. If the GMIS had gone past Galkacyo, it would have been game over for Faroole and Riyaale. The Wahabi Kacdoon would have gripped Wuqooyi with Burco being the first city to rise up in support of GMIS.

[Rightwing]

Abdi
What GMIS stand for?
Btw. I am sure without AMISON Ahlu-suna couldn't have held their ground one day. Sxb. Shabab win koonfurstan hearts and minds and ruled iron fist everywhere they have cuptured.
My god bless our AMISON brothers.

Le justicier
rw

[AbdiWahab252]

Rightwing,

Golaha Makhamiinta Islamiga Somaliyeed (GMIS).


Anyways, this mission shows how poorly trained these Ugandans are. A 75% loss on your maiden flight bodes badly for AMISOM.

Why the sudden love for AMISOM ? Is it because of Djiboutis involvement ?

[AmalJaber]

Thank you Lord God Almighty; you are worthy of all the Power, Glory, and of PRAISE


http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/147 ... index.html

UGANDA MILITARY says it has found its 3 missing helicopters which crash-landed in Mt Kenya and Garissa areas. Says all 28 crew rescued.