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| DATE | 2013-10-01 |
| FROM | Ruben
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| SUBJECT | Subject: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] you might never see this again
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24343059
30 September 2013 Last updated at 21:36 ET
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US generals forced to retire over Taliban attack
Maj Gen Charles Gurganus and Maj Gen Gregg A Sturdevant An inquiry
criticised Maj Gen Gurganus, left, and Maj Gen Sturdevant
Continue reading the main story
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* New details of Camp Bastion assault
* Afghan militants breach Nato base
The head of the US Marine Corps has ordered two generals to retire
because they failed to defend Camp Bastion in Afghanistan from a Taliban
attack.
Gen James Amos said Maj Gen Charles Gurganus and Maj Gen Gregg A
Sturdevant "did not take adequate force protection measures" to stop the
2012 assault.
Two Marines died and eight other personnel were wounded.
The Taliban also destroyed six Marine Harrier fighter jets and badly
damaged several others.
Fourteen of the 15 attackers were killed and one was captured. US
Marines and UK Royal Air Force gunners were involved in the counter-attack.
In June, Gen Amos asked US Central Command to carry out an investigation
and said he decided to take action against the two generals after
reviewing the results of that inquiry.
Continue reading the main story
What is Camp Bastion?
Locator map of Afghanistan
* Major transit centre with a large airfield, accommodates 28,000
mostly British personnel
* Set up in 2006, now covers an area of about eight square miles
* A logistical support centre for front-line troops, it also has a
substantial field hospital
* Inside Camp Bastion
Endorsing the inquiry's findings, Gen Amos wrote: "While I am mindful of
the degree of difficulty the Marines in Afghanistan faced in
accomplishing a demanding combat mission with a rapidly declining force,
my duty requires me to remain true to the timeless axioms relating to
command responsibility and accountability."
He added that Gen Gurganus bore "final accountability" for the lives and
equipment under his command, and had made "an error in judgment" in
underestimating the risk posed by the Taliban in the Bastion area of
Helmand province.
Gen Amos said that Gen Sturdevant - who was in charge of Marine aviation
in the region - "did not adequately assess the force protection situation".
Gen Amos asked both men to retire on Monday, speaking personally to Gen
Gurganus at the Pentagon and by video conference to Gen Sturdevant, a
Marine Corps official told Reuters news agency.
Both men agreed to the request, the official added.
Gen Amos also recommended to the Navy secretary that Gen Gurganus'
nomination for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General be rescinded
and that Gen Sturdevant receive a letter of censure.
Correspondents say it is a rare public reprimand of senior US military
officers.
Following the announcement, Gen Gurganus issued a brief statement saying
he felt privileged to have served in the Marine Corps for 37 years.
"I will treasure that forever. I have complete trust and confidence in
the leadership of our Corps and fully respect the decision of our
commandant," he said.
Bastion is one of the biggest camps in Afghanistan with a perimeter of
37km (22 miles).
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