(February 4, 2007)--The US military says the four American helicopters that have crashed in Iraq in the past two weeks were all shot down.

Twenty Americans, including at least two Fort Hood soldiers and four US civilians, died in the crashes.

It's the first time that the US command has publicly acknowledged that the three Army helicopters and one private security force chopper were probably shot down.

Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the chief US military spokesman in Baghdad, told reporters Sunday that the investigations into the crashes are incomplete but he said it does appear they were all the result of some kind of, what he referred to as, "anti-Iraqi ground fire."

Caldwell says the effort to target helicopters has been an "ongoing effort" and that adjustments in tactics, techniques and procedures are being made.

Fort Hood Capt. Mark T. Resh, 28, of Pittsburgh and Chief Warrant Officer Cornell C. Chao, 36, of California were killed in the crash of their helicopter on Jan. 28 in Najaf where they were providing close air support for Iraqi forces.

Both were assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade.

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