The measure is the first time a general has been sacked for negligence and the inability to defend a base from a successful enemy attack since the Vietnam War.
Following a four-month investigation by U.S. Central Command, Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos said the two generals, Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus and Maj. Gen. Gregg A. Sturdevant, did not deploy enough troops to guard the base nor did they take other measures to prepare for a ground attack by the Taliban.
“They’re extraordinary Marine officers who have served their country with distinction and honor for many years, but commandership is a sacred responsibility and the standard for general officers is necessarily high,” Amos said, speaking to a group of reporters Monday. “In their duty to protect our forces, these two generals did not meet that standard.”
Amos asked both men to retire on Monday and he said both have complied.
“Every Marine commander must properly position his command and his Marines to both successfully accomplish the mission and defend itself in any clime and place,” Amos wrote in endorsing the investigation.
“It was unrealistic to think that a determined enemy would not be able to penetrate the perimeter fence,” said Amos.
The Central Command review stated that Gurganus “made an error in judgment when conducting his risk assessment of the enemy’s capabilities and intentions.”
On Sept. 14, 2012, 15 Taliban insurgents wearing American uniforms stormed Camp Bastion, a British-run NATO air base in Helmand province that adjoins Camp Leatherneck, a U.S. Marine facility that serves as the NATO headquarters for southwestern Afghanistan.
In addition to the two Marines who were killed, eight personnel were wounded and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage was tallied when six Marine AV-8B Harrier jets were destroyed and others were seriously damaged from Taliban-launched mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.
Amos also recommended that Gurganus not receive the promotion to the rank of lieutenant general for which he was awaiting Senate conformation and that Sturdevant receive a letter of censure.
Gurganus issued a brief statement Monday saying he felt privileged to have served for 37 years.
“I will treasure that forever,’ said Gurganus. “I have complete trust and confidence in the leadership of our Corps and fully respect the decision of our commandant.” LINK
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