WAR: U.S. Looks For Missing Plane In Afghanistan, page 1

A U.S. military plane is missing in Afghanistan. The plane took off from the main U.S. base north of Kabul and has a crew of 6. Three on board were civilians and the plane had been contracted to transport military supplies.

www.kirotv.com
KABUL, Afghanistan -- The U.S. military said a plane that took off from the main U.S. base north of Kabul, Afghanistan, is missing.

A search is under way for the three civilian crew members and three military passengers who were aboard the aircraft.

Its destination has not been disclosed, but the search is focused in the Hindu Kush mountains in the center of the country.

According to a statement from the military, the civilian aircraft was under contract to carry troops and equipment. The operator was not identified and there were no further details of the six on board.

The plane took off from the main U.S. base at Bagram on Saturday.

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This highlights a problem that the U.S. Army is having with operations in Afghanistan. A recent AWST article pointed out a concerted attempt by the Army to purchase a light transport aircraft along the lines of the C-27. They need a small plane that can operate from small unimproved fields and can take off from fields that are well above sea level.

[edit on 11/30/04 by FredT]