The Chinook: Versatile warhorse

The first Chinooks saw service in Vietnam. Since then the versatile twin-rotor helicopters have been used in virtually every US military campaign.

A post-1991 Gulf War report found that the Chinook's cargo capacity and speed provided commanders with "a capability unequalled by any army in the world".

Equipped for mid-air refuelling to extend its range, the MH-47 first entered service in 1994.

Its role is to swiftly deploy and withdraw special forces troops and equipment.

The MH-47 is modified for its special forces role

Designed to operate in all weathers by day or night, the MH-47 normally carries 33 troops, and has a range of over 1,100km (600 nautical miles).

The minimum crew for operations is four - two pilots, one flight engineer and one crew chief.

For more complicated missions this may be increased to five.

The Chinook has a normal cruising speed of 238 km/h, (147 mph) but this varies according to cargo and weather conditions.