The commander of the 101st Airborne Division's Aviation Brigade, Colonel Greg Gass, told AFP Apache and Kiowa Warrior helicopters had struck a range of military targets around Najaf, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of Baghdad, in support of ground troops in the area.

"They (the helicopters) have destroyed several ammunition storage facilities, some air defence systems, many vehicles as well as ammunition trucks," Gass said.

However, he said several helicopters had also taken small arms fire from forces hiding "inside houses and things like that" in what he described as "medium intensity" combat.

The commander of the brigade's 3rd Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Richardson, said one of his Apache pilots suffered face injuries when at least five bullets struck his helicopter.

Richardson said the Apache was struck by small-arms fire that appeared to have come from houses and buildings north of Najaf.

Soldiers said the damaged Apache was unable to respond to the fire because its weapons system failed after being struck.

Richardson said the pilot's injuries were not serious and the helicopter was able to return to its base in southwest Iraq.

He added that other Apaches were continuing to hit Iraqi positions as part of the mission to give air support to 101st infantry troops in the area.

"They are engaging at this time," he said.

Gass said he did not believe the forces engaging the helicopters were from the feared Medina Division of Iraq's Republican Guard, which has massed near Karbala, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north.

"They are probably paramilitary forces," Gass said.

Gass said the Apache attack helicopters and the smaller, more mobile Kiowa Warriors, had been supporting 101st infantry pushing northward around Najaf since Sunday.

He did not give any details as to the number of Iraqi soldiers killed or wounded in the attacks.

In a separate mission early Monday morning, another battalion of Apaches flew near Karbala, about 80 kilometres further north from Najaf and where 3rd Infantry Division soldiers have been involved in combat with Iraqi forces.

"(The Apaches) engaged and destroyed two air defence systems," Gass said.

WAR.WIRE