‘Swift and decisive’ action regained control of Camp Bastion after Taleban raid

By JAMES EDGAR
Published on 21/09/2012 00:00

British troops responded “swiftly and decisively” to regain control of Camp Bastion after the Taleban raided the base last week, military commanders have said.

Fifteen heavily armed insurgents breached the perimeter defences of the huge Afghanistan base, killing two US Marines in their attack.

But Royal Air Force gunners did an “outstanding job” in reclaiming the airfield the Taleban had stormed. Members of No 5 RAF Force Protection Wing worked alongside the US Marine Corps to fight on the ground, while Army Apache helicopters were scrambled to fire on insurgent positions. All but one of the enemy were killed, and the other captured.

Prince Harry, who is based in Camp Bastion for a four-month tour of duty, was moved to a guarded location as the fighting unfolded.

Sergeant Al Bedford said: “We were attacked from multiple firing points, however we quickly co-ordinated ground troops and air assets to suppress the enemy and then utilised those assets to clear the airfield of any remaining insurgents.”