A U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane was hit by small arms fire after taking off Sunday from Baghdad, killing at least one person and forcing the plane to return to the airport, U.S. officials said.
The aircraft took off at approximately 5:30 p.m. and was struck about 12 miles west of the airport, the officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, coalition deputy operations chief, confirmed the attack but did not specify the exact location. Kimmitt said one person on the aircraft was injured and later died. He did not say how many people were on the plane.
The aircraft returned to Baghdad airport and landed safely. Ambulances transported the wounded to hospital.
Pilots have in the past reported ground fire near the airport.
On Nov. 23 a plane operated by the global package delivery service DHL was struck by a missile near Baghdad and was forced to make an emergency landing. There were no casualties.
