What's going on: Victims of Afghanistan helicopter crash were all Americans

Also: GOP rolls out 'The Pledge to America'

Brennan Linsley / The Associated PressIn this Sept.15, 2010 photo, a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter from the 101st Airborne Division transports U.S. infantrymen from one position to another in Zhari District, southern Afghanistan. Going increasingly on the offensive in this district near Kandahar City, American commanders are hoping to clear Taliban-held areas and fighting positions in the weeks and months ahead, before President Barack Obama makes a critical assessment in December of the effectiveness of the 30,000-man surge.

From The Associated Press:

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- All nine troops killed in the worst helicopter crash for the coalition in Afghanistan in four years were Americans, the Pentagon has confirmed without providing further information on why the aircraft carrying Navy special forces went down.

NATO said there were no reports of enemy fire in a rugged area in the Daychopan district of Zabul province, where Tuesday's crash took place. But Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi told The Associated Press by telephone that insurgents shot down the helicopter. The Taliban often exaggerate their claims and sometimes take credit for accidents.

» 'Contract' 2.0: House Republicans roll out 'The Pledge to America' [ABC News]

» Axelrod leaving White House; Emmanuel likely next [CBS News]

» Study questions benefit of mammograms in women over 50 [CNN]