Marine Generals Ousted After Bastion Attack by Gretel C. Kovach, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Two Marine generals considered rising stars in the Corps are being ushered into early retirement because they failed to protect Camp Bastion last year from a catastrophic attack on the base complex in southwestern Afghanistan, the commandant announced today.
On the night of Sept. 14, 2012, insurgents infiltrated the perimeter fence of Bastion and attacked the flight line with guns and rocket-propelled grenades. They killed two Marines, injured eight other people, and destroyed a fleet of Harrier jets before all 15 enemy fighters were killed or captured.
Gen. James Amos reviewed findings of a four-month investigation by U.S. Central Command into the incident and agreed the Marine serving as regional commander for the coalition and his air wing commander, both of whom deployed from San Diego County, “did not take adequate force protection measures within the range of responses proportionate to the threat.”
The commandant has asked the Secretary of the Navy to rescind the promotion for a third star for Maj. Gen. Charles “Mark” Gurganus and issue a letter of censure for Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant. Both men agreed to retire, Amos said…