Camp Bastion attack
Perhaps we should pull out tomorrow...cut off the money to Afghanistan and Pakistan....cozy up to India....things might be a bit different.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Taking a completely dispassionate view of this incident, when the SAS carried out an identical raid on Pebble Island, it went down in British military history as an outstanding piece of soldiering. Like it or not, this is the Taleban equivalent and will undoubtedly go down in insurgent military history as perhaps their finest piece of soldiering for a generation or more.
There were a few differences between Pebble Island and Camp Bastion in addition to the casualties. Happily, the casualty count is the most diametrical of them all!
Destroying the T-34 Mentors and the Skyvan was very crucial to the success of the Falklands campaign as they did pose a huge threat to the RN.
Destroying the T-34 Mentors and the Skyvan was very crucial to the success of the Falklands campaign as they did pose a huge threat to the RN.
On the 10th of May, an 8-man recon team from D squadron's Boat Troop paddled ashore in 2-man klepper canoes. Caching the canoes, they moved inland over the barren, wind-swept landscape, towards the enemy-held airstrip. As with the rest of the Falkland islands, the terrain did not offer much cover and establishing a covert OP (observation post) was difficult, although not impossible. The recon team dug in and started observing the enemy, radioing back their findings to D squadron HQ onboard the helicopter carrier, HMS Hermes.
Due to proximity of civilians close to the airstrip, the use of air strikes was ruled out and the SAS were given the green light to conduct the raid. On the night of May 14th, D Squadron boarded Seakings from Royal Naval Air Squadron 846. Accompanying them was a artillery spotter from 148 Bty who would direct gunfire from HMS Glamorgan onto the Argentine defenders.
Once landed on Pebble Island, the SAS force linked up with their Boat Troop colleagues who escorted them to the objective, using routes they had previously proved. Cut-off groups got in position to prevent the enemy leaving or counter-attacking the target area. A cover group, including a mortar team was established to keep any Argentinean defenders pinned down whilst the assault team went in.
As artillery fire from HSM Glamorgan and mortar fire from the SAS cover group slammed into the Argentine ammo and fuel dump, the assault teams moved onto the airstrip, placing explosives on the Argentine aircraft. The SAS placed their charges in the same part of each plane to prevent the Argentineans from cannibalising aircraft from spare parts. The assault teams also raked the parked planes with fire from M16s and M203 grenade launchers. Others fired 66mm LAW rockets at their targets.
The response from the Argentine garrison, housed in nearby buildings was noticeable by its absence. The SAS attackers had expected a heavy firefight but instead only received light return fire. Only 2 SAS men were lightly injured in the raid, at least one of these was hurt from when an SAS explosive charge detonated early.
30 minutes after the attack started, the SAS began to withdraw, leaving burning on the airstrip behind them 6 Pucaras, 4 TMC Mentors and 1 SkyVan transport aircraft. In one action, the SAS had destroyed half of the Pucaras the Argentineans had on the islands.
Due to proximity of civilians close to the airstrip, the use of air strikes was ruled out and the SAS were given the green light to conduct the raid. On the night of May 14th, D Squadron boarded Seakings from Royal Naval Air Squadron 846. Accompanying them was a artillery spotter from 148 Bty who would direct gunfire from HMS Glamorgan onto the Argentine defenders.
Once landed on Pebble Island, the SAS force linked up with their Boat Troop colleagues who escorted them to the objective, using routes they had previously proved. Cut-off groups got in position to prevent the enemy leaving or counter-attacking the target area. A cover group, including a mortar team was established to keep any Argentinean defenders pinned down whilst the assault team went in.
As artillery fire from HSM Glamorgan and mortar fire from the SAS cover group slammed into the Argentine ammo and fuel dump, the assault teams moved onto the airstrip, placing explosives on the Argentine aircraft. The SAS placed their charges in the same part of each plane to prevent the Argentineans from cannibalising aircraft from spare parts. The assault teams also raked the parked planes with fire from M16s and M203 grenade launchers. Others fired 66mm LAW rockets at their targets.
The response from the Argentine garrison, housed in nearby buildings was noticeable by its absence. The SAS attackers had expected a heavy firefight but instead only received light return fire. Only 2 SAS men were lightly injured in the raid, at least one of these was hurt from when an SAS explosive charge detonated early.
30 minutes after the attack started, the SAS began to withdraw, leaving burning on the airstrip behind them 6 Pucaras, 4 TMC Mentors and 1 SkyVan transport aircraft. In one action, the SAS had destroyed half of the Pucaras the Argentineans had on the islands.
I wasn't aware that the SAS lost 14 KIA at Pebble Island. Please tell us more.
One must find humor where ever possible.....as there is some to be found in most situations.
I would guess they showed up with all sorts of Boom Bang....found they had more than enough to go around....and simply applied it to whatever wasn't theirs. It beats carrying the stuff back home and makes for a much prettier fireworks show.
Granted....the 34's and Sky Van could have been very nice war trophies to go along with the Huey.
The important thing is they accomplished the mission....destroyed the Ground Attack aircraft that were the threat....and got everyone home alive and kicking.
Yes....it was meant to be sacrastic but not insulting.
I would guess they showed up with all sorts of Boom Bang....found they had more than enough to go around....and simply applied it to whatever wasn't theirs. It beats carrying the stuff back home and makes for a much prettier fireworks show.
Granted....the 34's and Sky Van could have been very nice war trophies to go along with the Huey.
The important thing is they accomplished the mission....destroyed the Ground Attack aircraft that were the threat....and got everyone home alive and kicking.
Yes....it was meant to be sacrastic but not insulting.
