Chief US military doctor in Iraq among crash dead

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) The US military's chief medical officer for Iraq was among a group of 12 high-ranking soldiers killed on Saturday in a helicopter crash outside Baghdad, the Pentagon said today.

Col. Brian Allgood, 46, was an orthopedic surgeon serving as command surgeon in Iraq.

He and 11 other officers, mostly combat support personnel, were on what defense officials said was likely an ''orientation flight'' ahead of the arrival of other soldiers. Defense officials, however, declined discuss the group's specific mission at the time of the crash.

Army officials also declined to say why a dozen high-ranking soldiers were traveling together. The group included two colonels -- the highest rank before the four-step class of generals in the U S Army -- as well as a lieutenant colonel, a major and a captain.

The crash is under investigation. CNN has reported the Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by a shoulder-fired missile.

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