First U.S. Plane Lands at Baghdad Airport
Sunday, April 06, 2003
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CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar — A C-130 aircraft landed at Baghdad's international airport late Sunday, the first known U.S. aircraft to arrive in the Iraqi capital since the airfield fell into U.S. hands, the U.S. Central Command said.
Navy Lt. Mark Kitchens, a Central Command spokesman, confirmed the cargo and transport aircraft had landed at the airport but gave no details, citing operational security.
U.S. forces say they have effective control over the airport, despite sporadic attacks including one Sunday against the 101st Airborne Division that left two Iraqis dead.
U.S. forces seized Saddam International Airport after an all-night tank and infantry assault last week and have been searching the tunnels underneath for any Iraqi soldiers who might be hiding out.
Above ground, they have been taking sporadic fire from isolated remnants of the Iraqi leader's special Republican Guard.
The United States has renamed the sprawling airfield Baghdad International Airport.
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