Defense Media Network

Attack on Camp Bastion: The Destruction of VMA-211

Late on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, a Taliban insurgent force of sappers carried out an attack on Camp Bastion, the NATO ISAF base in Afghanistan, resulting in the worst loss of U.S. airpower in a single incident since the Vietnam War. Two Marines, including VMA-211’s commanding officer, were killed in the attack, and nine other personnel (eight military and one contractor, reportedly) were wounded. By the time the base was secured roughly five hours later, six U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) AV-8B+ Harrier “jump jets” had been destroyed, and two more “significantly” damaged. In addition, three refueling points were destroyed, and six “soft-skinned” aircraft hangers were damaged to some degree. As a result of this attack, the air strength of Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211 – “The Avengers”) presumably 10 aircraft, was almost completely destroyed.

Camp Bastion is a British-run ISAF base in Helmand Providence northwest of Lashkar Gah, built adjacent to Camp Leatherneck (the primary USMC base in the area) and Camp Shorabak (run by the Afghan National Army). Equipped with a 3,500-meter (11,482 foot) runway and servicing up to 28,000 personnel, it is the largest British base in Afghanistan. One of them, on Sept. 14, was an AH-64 Apache crewman named Capt.“Wales,” otherwise known as Harry, Prince of Wales. Along with the British Apaches and other U.K. aircraft, Camp Bastion also provides basing for USMC aviation units, including VMA-211, the only Harrier squadron then in Afghanistan.

Whatever the organizational outcome, the Sept. 14, 2012 attack on Camp Bastion is arguably the worst day in USMC aviation history since the Tet Offensive of 1968. The last time VMA-211 was combat ineffective was in December 1941, when the squadron was wiped out during the 13-day defense of Wake Island against the Japanese.

The attack on Camp Bastion began at around 10:00 p.m. local time, when about 20 Taliban fighters approached the perimeter, disguised in U.S. battle dress uniforms. One of the Taliban used his explosive suicide vest to blow a hole in the perimeter fence, which reportedly allowed three five-man sapper squads into the secured areas of the base. Armed with AK-47s, RPG-7s and explosive suicide vests, the Taliban fighters flooded into the U.S. area known as Camp Barber.

As they began to attack the flightline areas, however, the RAF security force began to react within just 12 minutes, when they established an MQ-9 Reaper UAV orbit over the camp. This was followed by the launch of a British Apache helicopter that immediately engaged the insurgents, killing several. In addition, the British ground security force began to fight its way toward Camp Barber over the main runway, reportedly expending around 10,000 rounds of ammunition in the process. It took five hours to secure the base and police up the insurgents.

Harrier, Camp Bastion shelter 659475

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan P. Eggemeyer, a plane captain with Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211), Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), inspects an AV-8B Harrier within a soft-skinned aircraft shelter before flight at Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan Sept. 1, 2012. Eggemeyer was conducting pre-flight checks before launching the aircraft. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Keonaona C. Paulo

When the sun rose the next day, the deadly cost of the Taliban raid began to be seen. Fourteen of the 15 insurgent sappers were killed, along with two of their support force outside the fence. One insurgent was wounded and captured, and is providing useful information on this latest “Green on Blue” Taliban attack. The Allied casualties, however, are proving heartbreaking. Killed during the attack were Lt. Col. Christopher “Otis” K. Raible, USMC (the commander of VMA-211) and Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell (from Marine Air Logistics Squadron 13), both based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Ariz.

Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant, USMC, commander of Marine Aircraft Wing Three (Forward), has announced that replacements for the lost aircraft and personnel will be “brought forward,” suggesting VMA-211 will be reconstituted in place. While VMA-211’s executive officer, Maj. John “Strut” Havener, USMC, has been named the interim squadron commander, it is possible another Harrier squadron will be deployed and the Avengers returned to their home base at MCAS Yuma. The only “good” news about the attack was that Prince Harry was unharmed. He appears to have been one of the targets of the Taliban attack (his birthday was Sept. 15), and was taken to a “safe area” of the base and given extra security.

Whatever the organizational outcome, the Sept. 14, 2012 attack on Camp Bastion is arguably the worst day in USMC aviation history since the Tet Offensive of 1968. The last time VMA-211 was combat ineffective was in December 1941, when the squadron was wiped out during the 13-day defense of Wake Island against the Japanese. Eight irreplaceable aircraft (the AV-8B has been out of production since 1999) have been destroyed or put out of action – approximately 7 percent of the total flying USMC Harrier fleet. Worse yet, the aircraft involved were the AV-B+ variant equipped with the APG-65 radar and AAQ-28 Litening II targeting pods – the most capable in the force. Given the current funding situation, it’s likely that the two damaged AV-8Bs will become spare parts “hangar queens” and never fly again. A Harrier squadron commander is dead, along with another Marine. Another nine personnel have been wounded, and the nearby Marines at Camp Freedom are now without effective fixed-wing air support. The USMC’s response to this disaster will be a telling report card on its leadership and organizational agility.

By

John D. Gresham lives in Fairfax, Va. He is an author, researcher, game designer, photographer,...

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-49693">

    Never in the course of our American Democracy have so many been so deceived, dismayed, dismissed or devided by their so called Commander-in-chief. Hoping for the Change due to our citizens on Nov. 6.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-49694">

    Thank you for this disturbing news! typically major news outlets almost casually only mentioned harry /not much coverage/It’s dispiclablewe”the public ” didn’t know /uor prayers are with the killed &injured I’ll share & forward to retired navy ask to forward . Keep up your good work like this !

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-49752">

    Why were we so oblivious to ANY formation approaching the outside of the fence?
    Who was supposed to be in charge of security? Heads should roll!!

    li class="comment byuser comment-author-chuck-oldham odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-49757">

    That’s the most frustrating part of this story so far; the question of how it happened that almost 20 armed men stormed a supposedly secure facility and did so much damage.

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-49783">

    Unfortunately this is probably what came about from when our forces ‘coordinated’, and ended up relaxing their usual security measures. As a former Marine it seems like this would much less likely happen if the Marines had full control of their own security. And I am outraged at our media’s lack of reporting this. Also the Obamanation has got to go, please vote.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-49827">
    Herman P. Moore

    I agree with the previous Comments – WHY AND HOW was this group allowed to approach Never mind enter the Base – I thought they had sensors out on the perimeters and roving patrols out in the bad lands surrounding the base ? I think all the afghans working in the base should be thrown out – and Allied personnel brought in to perform these tasks instead ?

    South Africa use to use their Own labor from the Home country when we were in our Combat bases – never used any ”LOCALS” – – My opinion – get out and let the afghans fight each other again – If or When they cause any problems just Bomb them as before – Maybe the chinese will enter the Country once the allies have left ?

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-49926">

    the vietcong never succeeded in getting attacks on the base and destroy 6 jets, they only got ones and two with mortars, which is why they built hardened shelters. This sounds a lot like the Pakistan P-3s that were destroyed at their ase. This was also blamed on that anti-Islam movie, as was a cyber attack on banks that is actually just an attack by Iran. When Israeli targets are attacked, Iran is always suspect #1, but why is nobody suspecting Iran? Iran is the only state which did not condemn the killing. They hate the current Libyan government, and are one of the only powers with the intelligence and forces that could put together the attack force that hit Stevens. The original title of that video was “Innocence of Bin Laden” and promised to expose America as the true terrorist that killed muslims in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. That al queda connection is not being reported, nor the few Americans who suspiciously have claimed that Bin Laden is an innocent man, particularly Gordon Duff of Veterans Today which is PR office for Iran.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-50024">

    Another lapse in security. What ever happened with manned perimeter guards, dogs, and Anti Personal Mines ? The US has an incompetent command, from the Commander in Chief down. The Grunts are the only ones that know the score, as they are the first to die-and for what-to protect a corrupt Islamic state that is the worlds leading producer of Heroin. The only answer to save the world from eternal war against the Islamic scum is to kill every Muslim and destroy every Islamic country. The Islamic cult is one of hate, murder, and terror. It has been this way from its inception. The Muslim Obama and the Muslims in Congress present a grave danger to the United States, yet Congress snores away.

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-50093">

    Our special forces had their own base within the Air force Base perimeter and it had landmines plus trip flares etc with high walls and barbed wire on top with 24hr guards – The reason being that the general Military units are very relaxed with security –
    Someone needs to get their ass kicked for allowing this to happen –
    It will be interesting to note what gets done next about the security

    The base even had UAV that are used for Base security what happened with all that ?

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-50098">

    This is an obvious tragedy! But we are at war and war is hell. But why anytime something happens the go to statement is to blame Obama? If some gets shot “blame Obama!”, Kid get hit crossing the street “Blame Obama..” Same people talking about how we need to take responsibility for our own lives and stop looking to Govt. When I struggled to find work I blamed myself and made the appropriate correction to improve my own life! When I flew F-16’s I didn’t blame anyone when I made tactical errors, I learned and grew. You people need to stop watching so much TV. This is really getting pathetic!

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-50126">
    Herman P. Moore

    I cannot agree with you more – The days when people use to be tough and hard as nails – is gone forever
    I think when the USA Goes to war it should declare full scale war and mobilize the country so everyone takes responsibility for what is happening – All the People want is to sit and watch telly and go to eat fast foods etc – TIME TO LET THE PUBLIC GET WITH IT ?

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-50160">

    I do not agree with the previous two comments. When American citizens do their homework, they and you will discover the answer is “Blame Obama.” Your commander-in-chief has a goal since 1980 to destroy this country as we know it – The Land of the Free” and turn it into an Islam nation. Sad, unbelievable, idsgusting , and tec. But I have done my homework and am scared, fearful, and completely sad that our Congress has not acted on the policies of this president. He is fooling everyone of us. In the 50’s, we were told by Krushchev that the United States would not fall to arms, nuclear power, but fall because the nation will be divided into classes and fight each oher. This is exactly what Obama is doing. He studied Marxism all through college. Doesn’t it concern anyone, especially our military that he hesitates on reporting anything that has gone wrong in the wars or other sites and our loss of men’women who are serving. He controls the Mass Media and they only report what he says to. Is this a Commander-in-chief you depend on? I say not. I’m sorry for our service people that he does not respect you enough to do his job. He apologizes to the very countries that are demonstrating against us. Look at Libya’s incident. He knew what it was and he knew it was going to happen – he went to bed. If you are a voter, this is the only way tp save this country in November. Bless all who are serving our wonderful country. He is a Muslim – so he wants to protect them – sly fox he is.

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-50266">

    Pray that you are all safe Captain Smalley …

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-50327">

    Would like to correspond with single soldier in Afghanistan. contact me on

    Email:: scharne@ymail.com

    facebook::: Charne Swift

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-50365">

    The brave CO of VMA211 laid down his life in desperate attempt to save his machines when all other Marines were scurrying to save thier life instead of fighting back, This eminds one the days when the Western media and public rejoiced pain to soviets by the distruction of soviet aircrafts by thier supplied stingers to these very muslim terrorists, the time has come a full round and now the very same NATO and CIA is eing blodied y the ame terrorists whome your politicians called mujaheedeen

    li class="comment byuser comment-author-steven-hoarn odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-50400">

    Capt. Chatto, the CO of VMA-211, Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible, did indeed sacrifice his life rallying Marines in response to the Taliban attack, but it seems no Marines ran. Marine Corps Times had an interesting account of the attack and how once it started, “virtually all of the Marines working on the flight line at the time responded to the attack.” Even though most of these men were maintainers for the Harriers, it seems they lived up to the credo, “every Marine is a rifleman.”

    http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2012/09/marine-camp-bastion-afghanistan-attack-taliban-091712/

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-50488">

    I am floored about the lack of coverage on this…especially if it is true that Prince harry was stationed there as of Sept 9th for a week to do Apache training .

    http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/09/09/harry-completes-1st-phase-afghanistan-training/

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-50973">

    Dear Steven Hoarn, it is not negating the US Marines exellent work done by them for peace and stability in Afgan, but the death toll of VMA 211 tells a lot about the camadarie amongst the air warrior in marines, it is a grim fact that they are in afgan theatre, and they have to be always ready for the worst, And this does not goes well that The CO of VMA 211 was taken down, why not the last man standing amongt the said unit did not lay down his life before their CO was taken down, We have left back afganistan a long back but still lot of our comrades are left behind in the population who still give the account what you peaople are doing, its not that we don’nt know, some thing of ours is left behind in afganistan, lot of comrades have laid down thier life there, and it was unacceptable to us that our CO is killed before each and every fought to thier last drop of blood And it must be remembered that this type of attack are planned and conducted by SSG of pakistan, they have mastered the infiltration tecniq in thier longer duel with Indian and Soviet forces, but still your command is negligent of the fact of full involvement of Pakistan, they have cought you unaware and at the most vunarable point, these pakistani stooges had unsuccessfully tried the same thing when we were at Jalalabad with our Jump jets, and then only one small caliber mujaheedeen shot was able to pearce a emppanage of one craft and before that all my men in dead of night in what ever condition first took hold of thier service weapons and commenced firing and killed 47 mujahideens and about six of my aircraftmen died bare handed before before I was injured and before the spetznaz could reach our appron/temp hangers all of the mujahideen were dead Please pardon if I am rude

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-50983">

    Since the Main Stream Media and Obama’s administration is purposefully keeping this tragedy hidden from the American people as much as possible, it is time for this news to go viral through those patriots who read it here. If each and everyone of the viewers will not only send it by email to their entire address book, but also go to the Social network like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter with the title of the web site, then the media and Obama will have lost this battle of keeping people uninformed. I intend to do that, as I am a patriot and will protect our Constitution. To do that, we also have to contact our reps to investigate and arrest Obama for Treason, as he was never eligible to be President. All the people who supported him and hid the evidence that he was ineligible must also be recalled and imprisoned.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-51002">

    Hello … the Brits were in charge of security. Not our Marines. Not President Obama. The Marines were maintainers. We don’t have a clue what happened, and needless speculation only makes matters worse – as some of these insulting comments prove. We have Marine families, co-workers, and friends hurting over the loss of these guys. How about we honor them by keeping our uninformed and ideological/political opinions to ourselves, at least until we know what happened and why.

    By the way, anyone in combat knows that the enemy, given time, will always attack the “head” first. Thus, they would go after and kill the CO first. Seeing that the other Marines were no doubt out working AC and pursuing associated tasks, they wouldn’t have been around the command section to “defend the CO to the last man.”

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-51082">

    There is absolutely no excuse for maintaining such a “soft” perimeter at any form of encampment – air base, medical facility, supply point – whatever it may be. To not challenge a group of men in any uniform (especially when previous events were initiated by enemy forces that had dressed in American uniforms) is more than outrageous, To allow FRIGGIN’ TWENTY men to pass through the wire unchallengedt is nothing less than dereliction of duty. Maybe I’m just too “old school” since my time in Vietnam, but a Quick Reaction Force should have been at that breach point within moments (not minutes). I don’t know how Lt. Col. Raible and Sgt. Atwell died, but I’ll bet hard money it was like Marines: taking it to the sound of the guns, and getting all they could before they went down. More than rest in peace, Marines, rest in valor, and know you’ll have a place in Valhalla. Semper Fi. As for “Capt Chatto”, you and the rest of the former USSR military scum were my sworn enemy for many years, and as far as I’m concerned nothing’s changed. I do appreciate the Soviet army’s exit from Afghanistan; in particular a Spetznaz major who was arrogant enough to stand in the commander’s hatch of a T-72, long enough for someone to spin a 168 grain 7.62mm bullet through the ear piece of his comm-set.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-51256">

    What a wimp Prince Harry is, by being taken to a safe area rather than fighting along the rest of the crew. If he can’t fight, he should go home. That way at least those who provided him with “extra security” could prioritize fighting rather than playing body guards for someone that should be a fellow soldier. For the British commanders it was obviously more important to protect and save their Prince rather than protecting the camp and saving the aircraft from being destroyed. Honor goes to Col. Raible, Sgt. Atwell and all the other US and UK soldiers who fought bravely and ably against the attackers. Our prayers for them and their families.

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-51358">
    Kai-Adam Salomaa

    Hot damn it smells like a tin-foil hats and flag-sucking in the comment section.

    Afghanistan has NEVER since the days of Genghis Khan been successfully conquered. The Brits were unable to back in the 19th century, the Russians threw in the towel back in 1979, and by jove, so shall the U.S. Its not even a question of if, but when.

    When have you guys last actually _won_ a war you initiated? 1995 (Bosnia)? Yes, warfare is assymetric these days, but thats no excuse for paleolithic “strategies of the strong” and fascist-like propagated spin (read propaganda)? That shit gets you killed or spanked in the real world.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-51420">

    Mr Paul Morton, We Soviet and US soldiers were so called sworn enemy of each other lkie an idiot, all these were out come of political adminstrator of our respective nations, we while we bored holes in each others back those politicians fattened thier bakside, while we kicked them out from Kremlin, now its your turn to show how much national conciouness you all americans guys have to throw away the typical US politicians and thier system
    When in War zone of place like Afganistan ther is no excuse that you are medic, porter, technician, cook or an arse-wipe yuo have to be pepaired of the worse even while in sleep and stop bragging about failures of others, As one perticular East German training SNCO use to do with his afghan bound Mig 21 technical staff, he use to come up in rooms and shoot rounds from his AK near the ears of sleeping cadets through thier pilllow and scramble a full load weapons drill in as is were is condition, some cadets used to become nervous wreaks instead of being dismissed from afghan duty they were mecilessly floggered, then we had far versatile non-combatant airmen and soldiers if fired upon instead of looking for cover they would get hold of nearest fuel container, light fire on its outlet and run towards the enemy and throw it upon them, in Marine parlence this will be foolhardy as you indicated of the Spetznaz Major, but in return our such actions actions intsilled fear in any suicide squad

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-51981">

    Not being familiar with the details of the incident, with all of the modern surveillance and intrusion warning systems now available, it seems strange that none were in place or, if there, unable to provide sufficient early warning of the imminent attack. The fact that the attackers apparently were able to remain undetected and/or unchallenged well before reaching the perimeter fence is inexcusable. Passive defense measures inside the fence such as antipersonnel or pedestal mines activated by sensors inside the fence could have stopped or seriously impeded the intrusion of the sappers after the fence had been breached. Similar passive defense measures surrounding the aircraft parking areas also could have provided backup security.

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-52271">
    Herman P.Moore

    Captain K Chatto – I agree with you fully – All that time was wasted fighting each other when the real enemy – was laughing at the two ”SUPER POWERS”
    But to be Honest with you I do not think it is an different in what is happening at moment – The Wars
    are all about making money
    American Business is what starts wars for Profit
    The WWII was entered into by USA BUSINESS ?
    Blow it all up then send in the Business people to help ”REBUILD IT”

    TOTAL WAR is the only Way to win Battles – not with the way It is being done at moment !
    I still think that Russia should have been left to clean up Afghanistan in 1979 and we would not have had this problem today !
    RUSSIAN SOLDIERS DO NOT TAKE SHIT BUT KICK ASS

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-52273">
    Herman P.Moore

    George Engliish – ALL THOSE ”SYSTEMS YOU MENTION ARE IN PLACE BUT IT BAFFLES ME WHY IT WAS NOT WORKING

    They specially installed the sensors a while back – The U.S.ARMY has recently purchased a shitload more of these units to use as they are so good – They even use them in the F.O.B.

    They also have UAV overhead patrols as well
    Then there are OUTSIDE PERIMETER MOBILE PATROLS AS WELL !

    Something seriously went wrong here
    You must also remember that there are afghans living in villages close to the fence as they work on the base

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-52360">

    Mr. Moore: There is much to support your contention that our Presidents have manipulated events to obtain public support and Congressional approval to get us involved in wars. Lincoln’s telegraphed message to the Governor of South Carolina informing him that a supply ship underway to Fort Sumter was carrying no munitions after the other Federal installations in the South had been evacuated is the first example. Then there was the mysterious explosion and sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana’s harbor. The fact that England still refuses to allow divers to expore the wreckage of the Lusitiania located in shallow waters of the Irish Sea to support or refute the German contention that it was carrying munitions is another example. FDR’s support of the League of Nations embargo on oil shipments to Japan and then moving the fleet to Pearl Harbor without also putting it on high alert after Billy Mitchell’s warning ten years earlier that the next war would start with a Japanese aerial attack on Hawaii follows. It is most interesting that the only aircraft carrier then based there happened to be at sea on maneuvers on December 7, 1941.

    Truman apparently was genuinely surprised by the North Korean invasion of the South in 1950, but he was dealing with Stalin whom had previously caused a lot of trouble in Europe. The sabotage of the Geneva treaty provisions requiring a reunification referendum that ended the French occupation of Vietnam by the Dulles brothers during Eisenhower’s tenure and their complicity in the coup which set up the Shah of Iran, followed during LBJ’s tenure by the staged Gulf of Tonkin incident when torpedo tracks were seen on radar approaching nearby US Navy vessels observing a night time South Vietnamese naval assault on a North Vietnamese island, are more examples of deliberate deceptions. Previously, there was the nuclear showdown with the USSR following Allan Dulles’s CIA sponsored Bay of Pigs fiasco – I remember going into my unit’s mess hall then to watch JFKs televised speech to the nation about holding the USSR responsible for any attack by Cuba. Finally, our naive female Ambassador’s comment to Saddam Hussein that the US was not concerned about disputes among the Arabs in response to his complaint that the Kuwaitis were not sharing the joint revenues from oil they pumped from the trucial zone between their borders and the weapons of mass destruction hoax that was used to depose “our boy”, whom had previously invaded Iran with our not so covert support, are the most recent fiascos our leaders have foisted upon us. The current massing of substantial forces in the Persian Gulf to attempt prevent any retaliation by the Iranians from a threatened Israeli attack on their nuclear installations is the latest outrage. The next event would be to antagonize China by supporting Japan’s claims upon islands located in offshore waters near Taiwan. Unlike the Iranians, the Chinese have at least 400 nukes and their intercontinental delivery capability by missile and submarine. With the US military now being involved in 175 countries around the world since WWII, we have since ignored and de facto renounced any respect for our founding fathers stern admonition to avoid foreign entanglements.

    Meanwhile, the $380 Billion being spent on the F-35, which has yet to be rated combat ready, the Trillion dollars spent so far for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the hundreds of Billlions more spent on foreign bases instead could have helped the millions of our innocent citizens whom have lost their jobs and homes, thanks to the New York banksters and their bribed treasonous politician enablers in Washington. Neither of the two major party candidates seems to understand the hugely adverse long term ecoonomic, social, and political impacts to our country from its ongoing involvement in these entanglements and the resulting distress now being imposed upon our citizens. The collapse of the Roman empire should serve as a warning, but all they really care about is getting elected or reelected.

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-52431">
    Herman P.Moore

    George, I have the same sentiment, As I mentioned much earlier – the USA should bring the Troops home and start to Protect its own borders – Your country is being taken over from within by the South Americans – Never mind the gangsters – plus the fact that China holds the USA to ransom at present by having bought all the treasury Bonds –
    Post WW III is when all this nonsense started – but to go further back the Governments were taken over just after the CORPORATION LAW was passed in the USA It gave too much power to Business.

    As you mentioned in your reply – everything is orchestrated – US GOV STARTED WWII with Japan and Germany by setting it all up. They sent out OPEN OCEAN ORDER to prevent there being any ships in the path of the Japanese Naval force planning to attack Pearl Harbor – The Commander of Pearl harbor was not told about the attack [Intentionally]

    There is soo much that we [General Public is not aware of ] But if you read a lot all the info is out there.
    I think the Chinese are the only clever Nation out there
    They are one of the only Countries to have beaten the USA in TWO WARS –
    KOREA – PLUS VIETNAM [ If everyone wants tot be honest that is really what happened

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-52682">

    Had the intervention in afganistan as UN sponsered peace keeping and terrorist eradication one, US could have got active support Indian,Vietnamese, Russian and central asian forces plus Iran could have been froced to under compelled to give accsess from its nearest Chabhar port into afganistan via the weatern corridor, Please under stand, that to counter the nuisence of terrorist state of pakistan and eastern afganistan, the Russians and central asians are in dire need of sea exit into arabian sea so as to reap the massive advantage of trade with India thier historical supplier and trade link and farther to south east asia-vietnam, cambodia , thailand etc.ultimately US would have been relieaved and benefitted by tying up Iran in catch 22 situation of carrot and stick with thier new gotten trade link of India and south east asia with central asia. The arraingement are in place only required is positive will of US citizenry.

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-52905">
    Herman P. Moore

    American Politicians are to near sighted to accommodate this – They never seem to get the bigger picture – If they had there would never have been these major problems that we are seeing – For the USA There always has to be a BOOGEY MAN out there to scare their Population into spending more money o DEFENSE

    li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-52941">
    pacific_waters

    “…the RAF security force began to react within just 12 minutes…”

    And you’re impressed by that?

    li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-95814">

    It really bothers me that so many of you are questioning our security out in Afghanistan. I was there on the flight line when the attack happened. There was not a single Marine who ran from the fight. Two of my brothers in arms died that night, one of whom I was close with. So if you weren’t there, or you never fought in a war zone don’t question our actions from that night. You have the right to speak your mind thanks to the United States military but make sure you have your facts straight before you bash us or our commander in chief.