Iraqi transport helicopter goes missing after dust storm

Baghdad: An Iraqi transport helicopter disappeared in northern Iraq after it was caught in a dust storm, Iraqi military officials said on Tuesday.

U.S. and Iraqi forces were searching for the missing helicopter, which went missing around 2pm (1100 GMT) on Monday.

Police in the area where the helicopter apparently went down said US aircraft were searching for it.

A US military spokesman said Iraqi and Coalition forces were conducting a search to confirm the report.

The helicopter's pilots reportedly radioed the military that they planned to make a forced landing in the neighbouring Salahuddin province.