Posted on 09/15/2012 7:09:15 PM PDT by kristinn
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 15, 2012 – International Security Assistance Force officials are providing additional details about the Sept. 14 attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in which two coalition service members were killed when insurgents attacked the base’s airfield.
Because it is still early in the investigation of this attack, information is subject to change as new details become available, officials said.
The attack commenced just after 10 p.m., officials said, when approximately 15 insurgents executed a well-coordinated attack against the airfield on Camp Bastion. The insurgents, organized into three teams, penetrated at one point of the base’s perimeter fence, officials said.
The insurgents appeared to be well-equipped, trained and rehearsed, officials said. Dressed in U.S. Army uniforms and armed with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests, the insurgents attacked coalition fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft parked on the flight line, aircraft hangars and other buildings, officials said.
Six coalition AV-8B Harrier jets were destroyed and two were significantly damaged, said officials, noting three coalition refueling stations were destroyed. Six soft-skin aircraft hangars were damaged to some degree.
Coalition forces engaged the insurgents, killing 14 and wounding one who was taken into custody, officials said.
In addition to the two coalition service members that were killed, nine coalition personnel -- eight military and one civilian contractor -- were wounded in the attack, officials said. None of their injuries are considered life-threatening.
There aren't many spare Harriers and the production lines are closed. Could be a permanent loss to the Marines, who are the service that flies the Harriers.
“That would include the brass at Leatherneck and Bastion.”
Let’s make that “tarnished” brass.
And how, pray tell, did these people just happen to come across more than a dozen U.S. Army uniforms? Just the most basic items is at least 5 items of clothing each. Did all of the boots just happen to all be the right size too or was somebody clunking around in size 8 feet in size 11 boots with socks stuffed in the toes?
Were they stripped from dead soldiers? Did they buy them at the PX? Did soldiers barter them for local items?
Just a few of the many questions this factoid raises.
Camp Bastion is situated in the middle of the desert with excellent visibility all around, it accommodates 28,000 mostly British personnel. Camp Leatherneck is the U.S. side of the Base. The bigger question is how were the Taliban able to penetrate a secure military base, with a perimeter fence, which is protected by hi-tech detection systems. The insurgents were wearing U.S. Army uniforms, the attackers toted automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests. Start using roving patrols with night vision goggles, flares, trip wires, Guard dogs, get out of this fortress mentality and start protecting yourselves! All this happened around 9/11, they picked this date for a reason. Don’t be as stupid as the State Department!
Placemark.
Not a thoughtful answer, IMO.
Pssst......It’s not a secret, they’ve used internet purchased uniforms before.
I work over here in Afghanistan....it’s no longer a matter of giving away an idea.....they have the idea already.
Your IMO is like suggesting that they can buy AK47s on the internet is giving away an idea they don’t have already....you’ve just simply haven’t heard of it yourself.
Pssst......It’s not a secret, they’ve used internet purchased uniforms before.
Are you telling me that you can buy a Kevlar helmet on the Internet?
So the vendors don't have any restrictions on where purchases come from or are shipped to?
Isn't the sale of many items restricted to US citizens only?
A quick search turned up plenty of Kevlar helmets for sale.
The issue isn’t that they can get US uniforms, it’s that they could use them to get close enough to do that amount of damage.
Defense against those willing to die to strike a blow is always a tough problem.
Several items on the website may require an export license, including, but not limited to, the following:
6. Military Apparel including Body Armor, Helmets and Helmet Accessories, and Shields
See 31. Some sales are restricted, even for helmets.
Why the need for US uniforms?
All of which, if there is a government shell company, can be satisfied......the conditions thereof.
Are we good now?
Video posted at the Independent
http://bcove.me/udxglcid
Can’t watch the video, we are locked out of most streaming media.
I see.
So we have to enter tin foil hat territory.
Are we good now?
Under your purported "government shell company" scenario?
I read fiction quite a lot so what difference does it make in this instance.
Sure, we're good now.
Well it doesn’t show much. It appears to be a brief part of the attack on the base in Afghanistan, or it claims to be anyway. It mostly shows smoke.
Got a different link? That one doesn’t seem to show anything.
Let me make myself clear.....if a company in Afghanistan, associated with the government is given the requisite rights......?
Terps here wear the same uniforms as the Marines and I’ve asked but those that I’ve asked are unsure where they get them.
It is entirely possible they, the Marines, issue them, but at this point I am not knowing.
Also, I’ve just been e-mailed by someone on this particular post who’s son Ebay’d his cammie’s(without name tags) after he got out.
Check it out.
Tin foil hats....good one.
We really are not talking about a tight system here.
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