Hi, See http://www.trust.org/item/20130930220317-5j49f/?source=hpbreaking "* Two Marines killed, eight personnel wounded in 2012 attack * Two-star generals accept request to retire, U.S. official says (Adds Marine Corps comments, background on 2012 attack) By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The head of the Marine Corps on Monday effectively fired two U.S. generals over their failure to defend a major base in Afghanistan from a deadly Taliban attack last year, in an extraordinary and rare public censure. Two Marines were killed and eight personnel were wounded when Taliban insurgents breached what a military investigation determined was inadequate security at Camp Bastion, in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province. A four-month investigation concluded that Major General Charles Gurganus, the top Marine commander in the region at the time, and Major General Gregg Sturdevant "did not take adequate force protection measures within the range of responses proportionate to the threat," the Marine Corps said. Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos asked both men to retire on Monday, speaking personally with Gurganus at the Pentagon and by video-conference with Sturdevant, who was abroad, one Marine Corps official told Reuters." Regards, Mick D.
I do not know the particulars of this case. Doubtless others were also at fault too, but sometimes the men at the top must be held responsible. If you are big enough to get credit for victory, you must take the blame for defeat. That is a lot healthier for an army than heaping all blame on the lowest ranking person in the room.
good day rockape252.sm.yesterday.06:30pm.re":two us generals ousted over failure to secure afghan base"if you are the captain of the ship.you take the blame.i agree with tth.sm.regards bernard85
Hi,TTH, The incident in question. see http://www.trust.org/item/20130930220317-5j49f/?source=hpbreaking From the "Comments Section". "From a Marine who has been station in Camp Leatherneck in two different deployments, the security measure to protect the air field were not sufficient. That side of the base was completely exposed and had NO guards there. Base SOP left the protection of each squadron of Marines up to the Marines themselves." A post from Rocknet in response. "Interesting quote from the comments section: So basically the Marine technicians who are busy working on aircraft are simultaneously supposed to be alert of posing threat. Squadron CO's set up QRS, quick reaction squads, to counter threats to give time for base guards to reach the enemy. At the same time, Marines within the squadron would quickly gather their gear to aid their brothers" From that I would gather the Marines on the ground weren't responsible for perimeter security. Somebody though, hadn't joined up all the dots.....!" --- "During the action https://www.gov.uk/government/news/raf-force-protection-wing-defends-camp-bastion-during-taliban-attack Military Cross Sgt ROY GEDDES– 51 Sqn RAF Regt - For Gallantry Mention in Despatches Cpl K LEE – 51 Sqn RAF Regt - For Gallantry" --- I read a report (MOD Site ?) that the "Tonga Defence Force" where manning the observation towers." It's interesting to note that neither the Army Air Corps (AAC) Apache Attack Helicopters nor the RAF Regiment QRF are mentioned in the incident in question on the http://www.trust.org/item/. So it would appear that the USMC where involved alone in the action in recovering the airfield. Regards, Mick D.
