Afghan Woman Gives Birth Aboard Blackhawk Chopper

SALERNO, Afghanistan -- An Afghan mother of 12 has given birth aboard a Blackhawk helicopter that was transporting the woman to a field hospital.Lt. Cmdr. David Barber said he received a call for medical evacuation because a midwife could not help the woman, who had been in labor for 18 hours.Barber said his chopper flew through mountainous passes to reach the patient. Once aboard the helicopter, the woman's husband gave his permission for examination and treatment. A healthy baby girl was born prior to reaching the hospital as the aircraft was doing about 120 knots, 100 feet off the ground.
Mother and child are doing fine.