Loadsmasher
04-23-2013, 12:14
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/taliban-attack-exploited-security-cutbacks/2013/04/20/b22a0c18-a796-11e2-8302-3c7e0ea97057_story.html
Key points from the story:
Perimeter security was delegated by the British to the Soldiers from Tonga who numbered 55.
Watch Towers were left unmanned but the area they covered was not visible from other, manned towers.
USMC Patrols to the surrounding area were curtailed severely due to the drawn down.
The top U.S. commander at Leatherneck at the time, Marine Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus explained the attack as "a lucky break".
BLUF: Two Marines died (or were they just unlucky General?) 8 USMC Harriers were destoyed and no formal investigation has occurred and no one has been reprimanded. This was not the result of a one time lapse. A determined enemy was able to use a systemic lack of focus on base security to recon, plan and execute a daring raid that almost decimated (6%) the Marine Harrier inventory and left 2 familes without their son, husband, father, brother.
Key points from the story:
Perimeter security was delegated by the British to the Soldiers from Tonga who numbered 55.
Watch Towers were left unmanned but the area they covered was not visible from other, manned towers.
USMC Patrols to the surrounding area were curtailed severely due to the drawn down.
The top U.S. commander at Leatherneck at the time, Marine Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus explained the attack as "a lucky break".
BLUF: Two Marines died (or were they just unlucky General?) 8 USMC Harriers were destoyed and no formal investigation has occurred and no one has been reprimanded. This was not the result of a one time lapse. A determined enemy was able to use a systemic lack of focus on base security to recon, plan and execute a daring raid that almost decimated (6%) the Marine Harrier inventory and left 2 familes without their son, husband, father, brother.