Combat· Afghanistan War (Op ENDURING FREEDOM)
Camp Bastion Raid
The Camp Bastion raid was a daring nighttime insurgent attack on the sprawling coalition airbase in Helmand, when a band of Taliban fighters disguised in American uniforms breached the perimeter and struck at the Marine aircraft and facilities on the airfield.
The attackers penetrated the flight line and destroyed or badly damaged a number of Marine Harrier jets in the most costly single loss of Marine aircraft since the Vietnam War, fighting a prolonged firefight against the base's defenders. Marines of the attack squadron, including aviators and ground personnel, took up arms to defend the airfield, and the squadron's commanding officer was killed leading the defense. The fight marked the first time the aviators of the squadron had fought as infantry since the Battle of Wake Island in 1941. The raid was a stunning breach of a major base and a sobering demonstration of the enemy's reach and audacity late in the war.
Record no. 792