(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON – Pentagon officials tell CBS News than two U.S. service members were killed in an insurgent attack on an Allied air base in southern Afghanistan that has also wounded several other troops. The two killed were reportedly Marines.

An estimated 16 Taliban fighters were also killed in the assault, said Lt. Col. Stewart Upton, a spokesman at Camp Leatherneck, a U.S. Marine based adjacent to the air base, Camp Bastion.

U.S. officials said the attack at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province involved a range of insurgent weaponry, possibly including mortars, rockets or rocket-propelled grenades, as well as small arms fire.

Lt. Col. Stewart Upton, a spokesman at Camp Leatherneck, a U.S. Marine based adjacent to the air base, confirmed the attack and said two coalition service members had been killed but he did not specify their nationalities.

Upton said coalition forces were assessing the extent of the damage and would provide more details later.

Camp Bastion is a British air base and is used by the Marines at Leatherneck.

A number of aircraft at the base also were hit by insurgent fire, another U.S. official said.




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121 comments
BOPOS
BOPOS

RIP Men of Honor...

anyonebutbarry2012
anyonebutbarry2012

RIP

prayers out to the families and friends of all americans who have lost their lives this week.

VirusX
VirusX

And Obama's response? Get rid of those pesky Marines.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2012/01/marine-20000-marines-to-be-cut-012612/

Let us not forget that his spokesidiot said that these attacks aren't really directed at Americans, so we shouldn't worry. All this, and I'm sure Obama's wondering why the Marines don't care for him. I feel sorry for the poor Jarheads that have to salute that punk, when he's getting on, and off, Marine 1. I'd rather salute a civilian convict.

Whitewolf2009
Whitewolf2009

Me too... I have more respect for the convict.

sDee
sDee

To the Shores of Tripoli: The Birth of the U.S. Navy and Marines

""An often-overlooked yet significant and prophetic event in U.S. history, the Barbary War was America's first battle against an Arab despot and President Thomas Jefferson's first major challenge to U. S. foreign policy. ...... Because the Continental Navy had been disbanded, there was an urgent need to develop a new Navy and Marine Corps. Faced with the choice of trading arms for hostages or meeting force with force, Jefferson sent a squadron of warships to the Mediterranean while Congress was in recess, prompting the first major debate on the war-making powers of a U.S. president. The war included a blockade of Tripoli, sustained bombardment by the Navy's new frigates, and finally a ground war fought by a U.S. Army captain, eight Marines, and a rabble of Christians and Arabs sent to free the hostages."

http://www.amazon.com/To-Shores-Tripoli-Birth-Marines/dp/0688087817

sjmom
sjmom

Whew! Everything Obama has promoted, like Afghanistan, is now coming back to haunt him. From Benghazi to Cairo, QE2 and now QE3 to stimulus failure, lack of jobs etc. it is all beginning to crumble around him. Should be a big loss for him in November; that is, unless Romney and the GOP flub it but they will have to really flub not to win, dare I say it?

Whitewolf2009
Whitewolf2009

Prayers for the 2 fallen heroes.

At least they got 16 of the bastards!

Has NObama apologized... To the Terrorists for our troops shooting back at them yet??

kong1967
kong1967

I want to see a strong figure in our President. What we've got is a jackass that blames a movie and moves on to his next campaign stop.

The best thing Obama could do is to get off the campaign trail and actually do his job. The best thing he could do for his resume and earn respect is to see him in action. Yet, he thinks the key to winning is jumping around and kissing a$$ in speeches and letting his post go unmanned. It's time we fill the empty chair with Romney and boot this mo-fo back to Kenya.

sDee
sDee

I get the feeling he is doing his job - like an actor in this script. He just shows up where he is supposed to, when he is supposed to, and says what he is supposed to say.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

The best thing he could do to earn respect would be to abdicate his 'throne', get out of the white house and take his family with him NOW.

kong1967
kong1967

Lol, I was trying to say what he could do to help his resume and that what he's doing is destroying it (even more). But you are right, the best thing for us is to get him out of there.

Whitewolf2009
Whitewolf2009

Good point! That would leave enough time for the fumigation of the WH to make it safe/fit to be used by humans again in time for the Romneys to move in.

kong1967
kong1967

Lol, he's not "shovel ready".

Whitewolf2009
Whitewolf2009

Just put 3 shovels up against a fence and tell Biden to take his pick. :-) Will keep him amused and befuddled for weeks! :-)

kong1967
kong1967

Biden would move in, so I don't know about getting the chance to fumigate.

Constance
Constance

Geez. This is terrible news. It just makes me sick. Obama makes me sick. I want to bring our people and all our money home today. Let the middle east burn - it was going to anyway no matter what we did. Obama simply lit the match.

tshtsh
tshtsh

Don't forget to keep b.o. out of the loop as he will provide timetable and coordinates.

Galatiansch2vs20
Galatiansch2vs20

It's in the news that the proclaimed target was Prince Harry.

kong1967
kong1967

Kudos to him for not allowing his stature to interfere with participating in danger zones when he could be safely behind a desk somewhere.

Watchman74
Watchman74

I'll commend him for his bravery, but I'm not sure it's wise to place a person of prominence on a battlefield. Might as well paint a big red target on him.

kong1967
kong1967

Yes, I agree, but he insisted. He didn't want to be treated special.

Whitewolf2009
Whitewolf2009

Kind of insane to announce he was going over there and to which base. If I remember correctly, the last time he was there we didn't even know he WAS there until he was home. Now they go and put a huge target on the base and on him.

Joe
Joe

AIRBORNE GUNships are in order to do the job over there!

(and as Obama says)

--------------------------------- RIGHT NOW and

------------------------------------------------RIGHT AWAY!

Secure the borders in the HOMELAND and ARM UP!

These bastards are feeling good and must be stopped

It has been established that THEY are HERE and READY >>>

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=islam%20trai&cp=20&gs_id=2c&xhr=t&q=islamic+training+camps+in+the+us&pf=p&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=islam+traing+camops+&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=51458aeb036bde8f&biw=1349&bih=911

1217Chic
1217Chic

We are sitting ducks here in the United States

Libertyship46
Libertyship46

Tells you something that the Taliban are not afraid to come out in force and attack a major American/British target. This is NOT really like the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, but it IS disturbing that after 11 years of fighting the Taliban is still willing to hit a major NATO target and not worry about the consequences.

Watchman74
Watchman74

They know they can always go back to Pakistan if the going gets tough and they know we have a lame duck president who has more bark than bite, what's to be afraid of?

tshtsh
tshtsh

That is because they know the answer--what consequences and "72 year old virgins". I don't remember which rightscooper changed it to age.

tshtsh
tshtsh

I am not going to give b.o. the benefit of the doubt regarding his "Christian" faith. After all, b.o. has demonstrated he is evil and a liar. He does have his moments of telling the truth usually when TOTUS is not around (NB: the interview with George stefasnotie "his muslim faith").

Watchman74
Watchman74

BO is the kind of guy who will tell you exactly what you want to hear. I'm Christian and have been around Christians my whole life and he's no Christian I've ever seen. I don't know if he's a closet Muslim but he certainly relates to Muslims far more than Christians. If I had to guess I would say he worships himself first and foremost.

Constance
Constance

I've always felt that way about Obama. Christian? What a joke. Not a chance that guy is Christian. Everything he does points to being anti-Semitic and anti-Christian. I saw his eyes while he sat next to Netanyahu during that last visit discussing the Israeli borders. He had absolute hatred in his eyes looking at the leader of Israel. It's obvious and it is visceral. The man is a Muslim.

tshtsh
tshtsh

I think we should follow that advice Sarah Palin said about reloading. We need to remove all of our "assets" from the middle east and bomb everything else leaving nothing behind (i.e. Russia and Napoleon).

Watchman74
Watchman74

Everything is pretty much already scorched earth in the middle-east. If it wasn't for there oil it would be a forgotten corner of the globe. All the more reason to get off foreign oil.

kong1967
kong1967

Yep, they're a cancerous infection for the entire globe.

tshtsh
tshtsh

They certainly are! I noticed before 9/11 just about anywhere there was a problem in the world you would find a muslim entity.

kong1967
kong1967

Yet the left thinks it's because of us.

12grace
12grace

I believe you are right, t.

Mosques in America are "Hotbeds" for terrorism. yet obama and friends are more interested in regulating and strangulating the American people than shutting down Mosques. Ironically since 9/11 the number of Mosques has increased dramatically, maybe they feel they need to do a better job in killing the infidels, next time around.

Also, I wonder if this is an obama set-up, that is, that the fear of terrorism in our country grows and obama and his minions supposedly come to our aid by installing policies that further restrict our freedom and violate our Constitution while doing nothing for our safety

( like the TSA).

It could be just the excuse obama needs to install Marshall law to keep himself in power.

Ironically, while all of this is going on the American people have barely noticed that Q3 is being put in place- the final blow to our dollar.

12grace
12grace

Reflections of 9/11 and terrorism now.

Screams of anguish, fear and pain were like round-sound, as people leaped from windows at alarming rates, while fire and smoke raged and filled the air, I saw NYC 9/11's attack up close and personal. The image haunts me.

And I am angered by what has happened in America since 9/11, we have not learned. And as Ralph Emanuel and other leftist have said "Never let a good crisis go to waste". And they have not.

1. 9/11 was our warning to turn to G-d, repent as a nation and return to living G-dly lives, as individuals and as a nation. Since obama has come into office (another curse on America) we are not allowed to pray in political places and he mocks Jesus Christ. Atheism has grown, exponentially. And the Islamic faith is promoted.

2. DNC “call to prayer” by Islam while Christians were not allowed to pray at the event.

3. obama took out National Prayer Day but rest assure he makes it known that he celebrates every Muslim holy day.

4. Instead of going after Mosques (hotbed of terrorism in America) the politicians welcome them with open arms while dictating to Christian churches gov't endorsed theology aka the Gay agenda.

5. The healthcare mandate caters to Muslims,illegals, Amish and Scientologists, that is they get "free" health care via our tax dollars while they do not have to sign up for the mandate. IRS agents threaten Christians and others if they don't sign up. Clear discrimination against Christians and Jews. And let's not forget that obama and his minions have legislated that we pay for abortions, which is against the Christian religion.

6. At airports and in different traveling systems, the TSA profiles, gropes and assaults American-looking people ( not of Middle Eastern descent) to supposedly keep us safe from terrorism yet they allow anyone to come through the Mexican borders. And they know that Muslims are coming over the border illegally with Mexicans and Latin Americans.

7. Somali aka Muslim refugees are being dropped off on predominantly white Christian communities ( Minnesota) by this administration. These groups bring nothing but trouble as they refuse to assimilate. It is forced and dangerous, diversity.

8. At the onset of obama reign he bowed and showed deference to king Abdullah of Egypt

( maybe because this Muslim ruler paid for obama's Harvard education).

9. The Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas have secured powerful political seats in Washington. Much like the Fox watching the hen house. Known terrorists are frequent visitors of the White House.

10. This past 9/11, obama apologized to the terrorist that raped (sodomized) and mutilated our ambassadors genitals then killed him and dragged his body throughout the streets. And 3 other Navy Seals were murdered with him, as well. So obama and friends are going after the so-called catalyst of the violence (an innocuous You Tube video) about Islam instead of the perpetrators of the war crimes against, America.

obama said "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction". And he has down so.

Conclusion, make ourselves right before the lord and pray for obama and his followers, and ask that G-d of the bible open their eyes and hearts because this is the only way that America can be saved.

Whitewolf2009
Whitewolf2009

Great post 12grace. I've saved a copy of that for future reference, ty.

12grace
12grace

Thank you for your kind words, W.