BAGHDAD, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The US military Sunday played down the danger of missile attacks at a US military aircraft in Baghdad on Saturday when the Pentagon chief was still visiting the country.

　　Two surface-to-air missiles were fired at a departing US C-141 transport plane Saturday at Baghdad airport but missed the target.

　　"This is not the first time that such weapons have been used in this area," Lt. Col. Krivo George told a press conference on Sunday.

　　"This is not an unusual occurrence...something that we are circumspect of," he added.

　　The attacks took place when US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeldwas on a heavily secured visit in the war-ravaged country to boost the morale of American soldiers and assess the security needs.

　　Several missile attacks have happened at Baghdad airport since US President George W. Bush declared major combat over on May 1, hindering the reopening of the airport to civil flights. Enditem