RIDLEY PARK, Pa. – Two military helicopters were vandalized on the production line at a Boeing factory near Philadelphia, the Defense Department said yesterday as it offered a reward.
Federal officials handed out fliers to workers at the Boeing Rotorcraft Systems plant listing a $5,000 reward for information leading to whomever damaged the two H-47 Chinook helicopters. “We have determined that this was a deliberate act and not an accident,” said Ken Maupin of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. He would not comment on specifics or what led to the determination that it was vandalism.
The Chinook is the Army's workhorse aircraft and is used to move troops and supplies. The military hasn't grounded the helicopters.
Associated Press
Report: Poor training
killed firefighters
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Inadequate training, outdated tactics and aging equipment helped lead to the deaths of nine Charleston firefighters battling a furniture store blaze last June 18, according to a long-awaited analysis by fire experts released yesterday.
The report said firefighters didn't follow standard safety practices and had obsolete equipment when battling the Sofa Super Store blaze.
Earlier reports also have characterized the department as undertrained and overmatched the evening of June 18 as a small fire in the store's loading dock spread through the building and eventually overwhelmed firefighters.
Associated Press
Strong storms pound
South; at least 1 dead
NEW ORLEANS – Severe storms with damaging winds and possible tornadoes pounded the South, killing at least one person in Louisiana yesterday.
An overnight storm also knocked down several large trees at the Texas Capitol in Austin and blew out windows in the dome. Some schools in Louisiana canceled classes, and there were reports of minor flooding throughout the region as already-soaked earth could absorb no more rain.
The worst of the stormy weather moved to Alabama, where the National Weather Service issued flood warnings.
Associated Press
