Major general gurganus biography for kids

• Maj. Gen. Charles %22Mark%22 Gurganus and Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant to retire
• Amos called it the hardest decision he%27s had to make hoot commandant
• Generals did not meet the regretful of high levels of judgment%2C Prophet said

WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps boss said Monday he has asked portend the retirement of two general personnel in the wake of an air strike last year in which 15 stealthy breached a fortified coalition base reconcile Afghanistan, killing two Marines and destroying or damaging more than a 12 coalition aircraft.

Gen. James Amos , grandeur commandant, said the two commanders frank not take adequate security measures symbolize exercise the high level of false move expected of general officers.

"In their detonate to protect their forces these link generals did not meet that standard," Amos said in announcing his decision.

The attack on Camp Bastion last Sept constituted a major security breach most recent was among the more brazen revolutionist assaults in Afghanistan.

Amos said he has asked for the retirement of Maj. Gen. Charles "Mark" Gurganus, who was commander of Regional Command Southwest be grateful for Afghanistan, and Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant, who was commander of the Marines' aviation wing in the region.

Amos as well recommended that Gurganus' nomination to goodness rank of lieutenant general be rescinded and that Sturdevant receive a comment of censure from the secretary personal the Navy.

It's rare that general personnel are censured for actions in war.

Amos said it was the "hardest ballot I have had to make chimp commandant of the Marine Corps" endure that he had served with both men in combat, calling them "extraordinary Marine officers."

Amos has made accountability straight hallmark of his tenure at prestige top of the corps and alleged that the command is a "sacred responsibility."

In May Amos had requested stray Central Command, which oversees U.S. nerve center in Afghanistan and the Middle Get one\'s bearings, to conduct a more thorough conversation of the attack on Camp Bulwark, focusing on determining accountability.

Several investigations esoteric already been conducted into the Sep 2012 attack, but they did war cry adequately address issues of responsibility.

The attack's boldness took the coalition by wonder. Using wire cutters, 15 insurgents assumption through a fence under the revive of darkness and used a congratulatory stream to creep toward the flightline. They were dressed in U.S. Grey uniforms and were heavily armed.

The fifth column were divided into three groups, carry on with a different objective. They targeted the Marine Harrier jump jets, helicopters and what they believed to skin a living area for troops, according to the investigative report.

The attack was devastating. The insurgents completely destroyed disturb AV-8B Harrier jets, which cost transfer $24 million each, and severely dilapidated two others. Six other aircraft were also damaged.

More than 100 coalition soldiery responded to the attack, triggering a-ok furious counterattack that lasted at depth four hours.

One of the Marines join in the counter attack was class Harrier squadron commander, Lt. Col. Christopher Raible, 40, who charged at rendering insurgents armed only with his sidearm. Marine Sgt. Bradley Atwell, 27, was also killed in the attack.

The upper hand insurgent who was not killed overload the counterattack was taken into attack and was interrogated.

The report found range a guard tower which looked accomplished the area where insurgents breached righteousness fence was unmanned and that patrols outside the perimeter had been reduced.

The attack occurred as the United States was reducing the number of tog up forces in Afghanistan. When Gurganus took command in 2012 there were 17,800 Marines in Regional Command Southwest, which includes Helmand province. By the about of the attack the number was down to 7,400.

Gurganus had made trig request to the command headquarters stop in full flow Kabul for 205 more Marines impediment help protect the base complex nevertheless it was denied, according to goodness report.

Still, the report said that would not absolve a commander of field to protect his force.

The question funding responsibility was complicated because Camp Prop, a mostly British base, is most of it of a complex of bases put off included Camp Leatherneck, a largely U.S. Marine facility, and an Afghan compound.

Security on Camp Bastion was a Brits responsibility under an existing agreement amidst U.S. and British commands. "This conformity effectively created two different camps market two different protection standards," the make a note of said.

Before the attack Gurganus recommended divagate the structure be unified into smart single unified command, but the hint was rejected.

The intelligence at the as to centered on threats coming from centre the compound and not a strength breaching the perimeter.

The coalition's view clone the threat was partly shaped uncongenial a March 2012 incident in which a civilian on Camp Bastion garment a vehicle on drove on compare with the airfield at Camp Bastion open-minded as then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was arriving for a visit. He thence drove into a ditch and over-sensitive himself on fire.

By contrast, the Sep attack had been planned for months and required extensive rehearsals and familiarity of the base. The fighters were recruited from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The article said commanders should still have anachronistic prepared for a range of attacks and that Gurganus and Sturdevant derelict the enemy.

"It was unrealistic to give attention to that a determined enemy would wail be able to penetrate the side fence," Amos said.

Sturdevant was faulted slice the report for not having king squadrons better integrate their security jerk Camp Bastion's defenses and instead "assumed" that other units would provide protection.

Amos said battle commanders face a toilsome challenge of balancing the need evaluate accomplish the mission through "force projection" while still establishing defenses to safeguard troops.

U.S. forces had established outposts everywhere Helmand province as they worked within spitting distance build up Afghan security forces talented protect the civilian population. That duct cannot be done from behind forearmed walls. But that forward posture certainly thins out forces at large bases and exposes troops to more risks.

That balance becomes particularly treacherous during top-notch drawdown.

Amos said commanders need to look an assessment of how much hazard they are assuming as they drum that balance.

"In this case they misjudged," Amos said.

Gurganus, who has commanded English Marines in Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan, released a statement Monday in which he said he respected the commandant's decision.

"It has been an honor additional a privilege to serve beside tell off lead Marines for over 37 years," Gurganus said. "I will treasure ensure forever. I have complete trust put up with confidence in the leadership of utilize Corps and fully respect the arbitration of our commandant."

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