Members of No 5 RAF Force Protection Wing working alongside the US Marine Corp (USMC) have spoken about quickly regaining control of Camp Bastion Airfield post an insurgent attack on Friday 14 September, killing 14 and capturing 1 of the enemies, Vigilance can reveal.
Vigilance learnt that fifteen heavily armed insurgents dressed in US Army uniforms, armed with PKM General Purpose Machine Guns, AK 47 Rifles and Rocket Propelled Grenades, broke through perimeter defences and initially, targeted tower guards with heavy fire. Tragically 2 US Marines were killed.
A source at the MoD said they subsequently attacked the USMC flight line, damaging infrastructure and AV-8B Harrier jump jets and the RAF Force Protection Wing based at CampBastion were quick to react, deploying forces throughout the camp, with 51 Squadron RAF Regiment pushing out onto the airfield and the RAF Police from the Bastion Security Squadron maintaining security around key installations throughout the camp.
The source recounted that the RAF Regiment gunners rapidly pushed out to reclaim control of the airfield, supported by a number of different direct fire weapons, and coordinating the assault with members of 2/10 Battalion US Marine Corps, they moved methodically across the airfield engaging in various fire fights as they dealt with pockets of resistance over a period of some 4 hours.
Flight Lieutenant Andy Beney who was the Force Protection Wing’s Battle Captain located in the Operations Room during the incident recollected: “Everyone responded decisively, situational awareness was quickly established and we were quick to deploy the necessary assets in order to deal with the attack as effectively as possible.”
Corroborating Flt. Lt. Beney’s version of the story, Sergeant Al Bedford who was the RAF Regiment incident controller in the Joint Operations Room at the time of the attack added: “We were attacked from multiple firing points, however we quickly coordinated ground troops and air assets to suppress the enemy and then utilised those assets to clear the airfield of any remaining insurgents. We also coordinated medical support to the gunners on the ground and ensured re-supply was timely, allowing the lads to maintain their momentum.”
Whilst Sergeant Roy ‘Doc’ Geddes who was a tactical commander of an RAF Regiment Flight consisting of 30 gunners on the airfield during the attack said he was himself injured during the assault, sustaining fragmentation injuries from a Rocket Propelled Grenade.
Sgt. Geddes said: “I was the Quick Reaction Force commander when we responded to the attack. As I moved onto the Airfield I could already see some Harriers on fire. We were soon engaged with the enemy, who used small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, however, my gunners were quick to react and returned fire, suppressing the enemy position.”
Vigilance authoritatively gathered that after the initial fire fight, 51 Squadron re-grouped. Commanded by Squadron Leader Kev McMurdo, they then systematically moved through the airfield ensuring that they cleared all the surrounding buildings and hangers, assaulting one insurgent position and clearing the Harrier parking area, any remaining insurgents were dealt with quickly and effectively.
Co-ordinated by the Force Protection Wing’s Tactical Air Control Party, UK Apache helicopters overhead provided over watch to the gunners on the ground, suppressing a number of insurgent positions, the successful operation secured the airfield by the early hours of the morning, quickly allowing normal operations to resume.
Squadron Leader McMurdo, Officer Commanding 51 Squadron RAF Regiment who threw more light on the exploit of our boys told: “The gunners did an outstanding job dealing with the insurgent threat. The Squadron reacted swiftly and decisively which prevented the insurgents crossing the airfield. The incident was contained quickly allowing normal air operations to resume shortly after the attack.”
Group Captain Jeff Portlock, Bastion Base Commander no doubt said: This was a significant attack on Bastion. The response of the RAF and USMC Force Protection personnel and Firefighters was highly professional and courageous. Through their efforts, insurgents were contained and the damage limited. Our thoughts are with the families of the two USMC personnel who died.”
He added: “Bastion was quickly back to full operational capability and we continue to support ISAF operations on the ground throughout the region.”