MOSCOW. Oct 15 (Interfax-AVN) - A Mil Mi-26 helicopter of the Russian air company Vertikal-T which airlifts cargo for the international force in Afghanistan, evacuated an American helicopter, Chinook CH-47, hit in fighting, a company spokesman told Interfax-AVN.
The helicopter came under fire, was damaged and made an emergency landing near Kandahar. "The American crew called another Chinook and attempted a takeoff, but failed due to a dust cloud and the heavy cargo," he said.
The U.S. crews then got in touch with Vertikal-T and asked them to send the world's best transport helicopter Mi-26 to help them out. Unfavorable conditions were no obstacle for the experienced Russian crew, the spokesman said.
"The evacuation flight was escorted by American helicopter gunships. It demonstrated yet again the excellence of Russian helicopters. The Mi-26 flew 110 kilometers with a suspended CH-47," he said.