The number of helicopters in Asia represents only a small percent of the number of helicopters in the United States, while Asia has a significantly larger population and is expected to be a major market for helicopters over the next two decades.

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Residents believed helicopters would only "touch and go" there and would be based in Newquay.

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But all too often, recounts a naval commander, helicopters arrive only to watch pirates taking their prey back to Somalia.

ECONOMIST: Piracy off Somalia

But one witness, who agreed to be identified only as Adam, said helicopters landed troops "armed to the teeth" in Tripoli's Green Square on Monday.

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The Civil Aviation Authority said helicopters in London have only limited radar help and fly mostly using visual reference points on the ground.

CNN: London helicopter crash prompts safety questions

It is the very nature of the battle in Afghanistan - to push the Taliban out, take land and hold it - which means helicopters could never be the one-and-only solution.

BBC: Helicopters 'are no magic wand'

But the only live tweets from the operation were from a bystander in Abbottabad who heard the helicopters landing.

FORBES: Connect