Two U.S. Marine Generals Fired Over 2012 Attack In Afghanistan

Two Marine Generals Fired For Security Lapses In Afghanistan -- Washington Post

The commandant of the Marine Corps on Monday took the extraordinary step of firing two generals for not adequately protecting a giant base in southern Afghanistan that Taliban fighters stormed last year, resulting in the deaths of two Marines and the destruction of a half a dozen U.S. fighter jets.

It is the first time since the Vietnam War that a general, let alone two, has been sacked for negligence after a successful enemy attack. But the assault also was unprecedented: Fifteen insurgents entered a NATO airfield and destroyed almost an entire squadron of Marine AV-8B Harrier jets, the largest single loss of allied materiel in the almost 12-year Afghan war.

The commandant, Gen. James F. Amos, said the two generals did not deploy enough troops to guard the base and take other measures to prepare for a ground attack by the Taliban. The two, Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, the top Marine commander in southern Afghanistan at the time, and Maj. Gen. Gregg A. Sturdevant, the senior Marine aviation officer in the area, “failed to exercise the level of judgment expected of commanders of their rank,” Amos said.

Read more ....

More News On Two U.S. Marine Generals Fired Over 2012 Attack In Afghanistan

Two Marine Generals Ousted Over 2012 Attack in Afghanistan -- Wall Street Journal
Two generals asked to retire in wake of Bastion attack -- USA Today
Two senior Marine generals forced to retire over deadly Afghan attack -- NBC
Marine generals ousted after Bastion attack -- UT San Diegeo
Marines Sack Two Generals For Failing to Stop Afghan Attack -- Killer Apps/Foreign Policy