Camp Shorabak: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Military air base in Afghanistan}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{Infobox military installation |
{{Infobox military installation |
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|name = Camp Shorabak |
|name = Camp Shorabak |
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|pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Afghanistan |
|pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Afghanistan |
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|pushpin_label = OAZI |
|pushpin_label = OAZI |
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|ownership = [[Ministry of Defense (Afghanistan)|Ministry of Defense]] |
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|ownership = |
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|operator = |
|operator = [[Afghan Armed Forces]] |
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|controlledby = |
|controlledby = |
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|code = |
|code = |
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|built = {{Start date|2005}} |
|built = {{Start date|2005}} |
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|used = |
|used = 2005–present<!--{{End date|2014}} --> |
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|builder = |
|builder = |
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|materials = |
|materials = |
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|past_commanders = RAF Group Captain Tony Innes, Commander Bastion and Commanding Officer 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Change Of Command For CO 903 EAW At Camp Bastion |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/change-of-command-for-co-903-eaw-at-camp-bastion-04022013 |access-date=7 February 2013 |newspaper=[[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) |date=4 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207031139/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/change-of-command-for-co-903-eaw-at-camp-bastion-04022013 |archive-date=February 7, 2013 }}</ref> |
|past_commanders = RAF Group Captain Tony Innes, Commander Bastion and Commanding Officer 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Change Of Command For CO 903 EAW At Camp Bastion |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/change-of-command-for-co-903-eaw-at-camp-bastion-04022013 |access-date=7 February 2013 |newspaper=[[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) |date=4 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207031139/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/change-of-command-for-co-903-eaw-at-camp-bastion-04022013 |archive-date=February 7, 2013 }}</ref> |
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|garrison = |
|garrison = |
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|occupants = |
|occupants = |
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|open_to_public = |
|open_to_public = |
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|website = |
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|website = [http://acaa.gov.af/en/page/bastion-oazi-2 Afghanistan - Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation - Bastion] |
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|IATA =OAZ |
|IATA =OAZ |
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|ICAO =OAZI |
|ICAO =OAZI |
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|GPS = |
|GPS = |
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|WMO = |
|WMO = |
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|elevation = {{Convert| |
|elevation = {{Convert|2915|ft|0}} |
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|r1-number =01/19 |
|r1-number =01/19 |
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|r1-length = {{Convert|3500|m|0}} |
|r1-length = {{Convert|3500|m|0}} |
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|r1-surface =[[Concrete]]/[[Asphalt]] |
|r1-surface =[[Concrete]]/[[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]] |
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|h1-number =01/19 |
|h1-number =HLS 01/19 |
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|h1-length = {{Convert| |
|h1-length = {{Convert|500|m|0}} |
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|h1-surface =[[Concrete]] |
|h1-surface =[[Concrete]] |
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|airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox to something more fitting --> |
|airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox to something more fitting --> |
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|airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities - launchpads, airship hangars etc --> |
|airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities - launchpads, airship hangars etc --> |
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|footnotes = <ref name="Landings">[http://aerobaticsweb.org/cgi-bin/search_apt?OAZI Airport record for Camp Bastion Airport] at Landings.com. Retrieved 1-8-2013</ref> Garrison of |
|footnotes = <ref name="Landings">[http://aerobaticsweb.org/cgi-bin/search_apt?OAZI Airport record for Camp Bastion Airport] at Landings.com. Retrieved 1-8-2013</ref> Garrison of 11,000–12,000 troops.<ref>{{cite web |title=Camp Bastion Army Base |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/campbastionarmybase/ |website=Army Technology}}</ref> Could hold over 28,000/{{sfn|LandWarfareCentre|2015|p=30}} 32,000 troops.<ref name="Dismantling Camp Bastion">{{cite web|title=Dismantling Camp Bastion|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfZoH0NlflI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/BfZoH0NlflI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref><br/>'''Airfield Sources:''' AIP Afghanistan,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-20 |title=Aeronautical Information Publication Republic of Afghanistan Part 3 |url=https://acaa.gov.af/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AERODROME-EDITION-91.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903202208/https://acaa.gov.af/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AERODROME-EDITION-91.pdf |archive-date=2021-09-03 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=acaa.gov.af |pages=62–86 |edition=91}}</ref> DoD FLIP<ref>{{Cite book|title=DoD Flight Information Publication (Enroute) - Supplement Eastern Europe and Asia|publisher=[[National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency]]|year=2017|location=St. Louis, Missouri|page=B-15}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Camp Shorabak''' (formerly '''Camp Bastion''') is a former [[British Army]] [[Military airbase|airbase]], located northwest of the city of [[Lashkargah]] in [[Helmand Province]], [[Afghanistan]]. The camp was situated in a remote desert area, far from population centres. |
'''Camp Shorabak''' (formerly '''Camp Bastion''') is a former [[British Army]] [[Military airbase|airbase]], located northwest of the city of [[Lashkargah]] in [[Helmand Province]], [[Afghanistan]]. The camp was situated in a remote desert area, far from population centres. |
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The camp was built by the [[British Army]] in 2005-06, and on 27 October 2014 the [[British Army]] handed over control to the [[Ministry of Defense (Afghanistan)|Afghan Ministry of Defense]]. Between 2005 and October 2014 it was the logistics hub for [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF) operations in Helmand during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] and [[Operation Herrick]],<ref name="CBDIS">{{cite news|title=Camp Bastion doubles in size|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/CampBastionDoublesInSize.htm|access-date=14 September 2012|newspaper=MoD (UK)|date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name=BBCOct14>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29776544|title=UK base in Afghanistan handed over|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=26 October 2014|access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> and it was capable of accommodating over 32,000 people.<ref name="Dismantling Camp Bastion"/> It was the largest British overseas [[military camp]] built since the [[Second World War]].<ref name="BBB271014">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bye-bye-bastion|title=Bye-bye Bastion|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD (UK))|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> The base was also home to troops from other states, including the United States and Denmark.<ref>{{cite news|title=Commander Bastion takes charge of UK's main Helmand base and its airfield|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/CommanderBastionTakesChargeOfUksMainHelmandBaseAndItsAirfield.htm|access-date=14 September 2012|newspaper=MoD (UK)|date=18 October 2010}}</ref> |
The camp was built by the [[British Army]] in 2005-06, and on 27 October 2014 the [[British Army]] handed over control to the [[Ministry of Defense (Afghanistan)|Afghan Ministry of Defense]]. Between 2005 and October 2014 it was the logistics hub for [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF) operations in Helmand during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] and [[Operation Herrick]],<ref name="CBDIS">{{cite news|title=Camp Bastion doubles in size|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/CampBastionDoublesInSize.htm|access-date=14 September 2012|newspaper=MoD (UK)|date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name=BBCOct14>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29776544|title=UK base in Afghanistan handed over|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=26 October 2014|access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> and it was capable of accommodating over 32,000 people.<ref name="Dismantling Camp Bastion"/> It was the largest British overseas [[military camp]] built since the [[Second World War]].<ref name="BBB271014">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bye-bye-bastion|title=Bye-bye Bastion|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD (UK))|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> The base was also home to troops from other states, including the United States and Denmark.<ref>{{cite news|title=Commander Bastion takes charge of UK's main Helmand base and its airfield|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/CommanderBastionTakesChargeOfUksMainHelmandBaseAndItsAirfield.htm|access-date=14 September 2012|newspaper=MoD (UK)|date=18 October 2010}}</ref> |
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Shorabak contained the [[Afghan National Army]] (ANA) camp (also called Camp Shorabak), and also held [[Camp Leatherneck]] until 2014.<ref name="BBB271014"/> |
Shorabak contained the [[Afghan National Army]] (ANA) camp (also called Camp Shorabak), and also held [[Camp Leatherneck]] until 2014.<ref name="BBB271014"/> |
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The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in |
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in July–August 2021; the camp is now under control by the Taliban.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bitter blow: UK's former hub in Afghanistan captured by Taliban |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/bitter-blow-uk-s-former-hub-in-afghanistan-captured-by-taliban-121081301869_1.html |website=Business Standard India |date=13 August 2021}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Camp Bastion Memorial Wall Vigil MOD 45158077.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Memorial Wall at Camp |
[[File:Camp Bastion Memorial Wall Vigil MOD 45158077.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Memorial Wall at Camp Bastion, 2014]] |
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[[File:2PARA Gold 36.jpg|thumb|left|250px|2 PARA bedspaces during 2011]] |
[[File:2PARA Gold 36.jpg|thumb|left|250px|2 PARA bedspaces during 2011]] |
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Camp Shorabak |
Camp Shorabak was known as Camp Bastion until 2014. It was a tactical landing zone set up by two air traffic controllers from the [[Royal Air Force]]'s Tactical Air Traffic Control Unit. This provided a vital and strategic insertion point in [[Helmand Province]] during the western intervention in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]. |
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The camp started out with just a few tents in 2005.<ref name="BBB271014"/> However, from early 2006 personnel from [[39 Engineer Regiment Royal Engineers]] and various contracting firms, all under the supervision of [[62 Works Group Royal Engineers]] started to build the base with more robust facilities. In November 2006, the then British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] visited Camp Bastion, and, while addressing a gathering of British troops, described it as an "extraordinary piece of desert ... where the fate of world security in the early 21st century is going to be decided".<ref>{{cite news|title=Bleak Camp Bastion - and a vision of roses and saffron|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/nov/21/uk.world1|accessdate=25 September 2007|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=21 November 2006|author=Patrick Wintour}}</ref> |
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Four miles long by two miles wide, the camp had a busy airfield and a [[field hospital]] and originally had full accommodation for 2,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Camp Bastion: Welcome to Helmand|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2030798.ece|access-date=25 September 2007|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=3 December 2006|author=Raymond Whitaker|archive-date=22 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922214437/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2030798.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
Four miles long by two miles wide, the camp had a busy airfield and a [[field hospital]] and originally had full accommodation for 2,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Camp Bastion: Welcome to Helmand|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2030798.ece|access-date=25 September 2007|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=3 December 2006|author=Raymond Whitaker|archive-date=22 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922214437/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2030798.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In February 2014, snow fell in Camp Bastion for the first time since the base was established, eight years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/troops-under-attack-from-snow-29975118.html|title=Troops under attack - from snow|date=3 February 2014|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> |
In February 2014, snow fell in Camp Bastion for the first time since the base was established, eight years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/troops-under-attack-from-snow-29975118.html|title=Troops under attack - from snow|date=3 February 2014|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> |
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The camp was handed over to the control of the Afghan security forces on 26 October 2014.<ref name=BBCOct14/><ref name=drw>Drwiega, Andrew. "[http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/Combat-Operations-Cease-from-Camp-Bastion-Leatherneck_83365.html Combat Operations Cease from Camp Bastion-Leatherneck]" ''Aviation Today'', 28 October 2014. Accessed: 29 October 2014.</ref> |
The camp was handed over to the control of the Afghan security forces on 26 October 2014.<ref name=BBCOct14/><ref name=drw>Drwiega, Andrew. "[http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/Combat-Operations-Cease-from-Camp-Bastion-Leatherneck_83365.html Combat Operations Cease from Camp Bastion-Leatherneck] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029204027/http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/Combat-Operations-Cease-from-Camp-Bastion-Leatherneck_83365.html |date=2014-10-29 }}" ''Aviation Today'', 28 October 2014. Accessed: 29 October 2014.</ref> |
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On 27 November 2014, insurgents infiltrated Camp Bastion. As of Sunday 30 November, the Afghan National Army had not fully driven out the "Taliban" fighters. At least five ANA soldiers were killed in the attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/world/asia/taliban-overrun-an-afghan-army-base-.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%221%22%3A%22RI%3A11%22%7D&_r=0|title=Taliban Overrun an Afghan Army Base|work=The New York Times|date=29 November 2014|access-date=24 July 2016|last1=Goldstein|first1=Joseph|last2=Nordland|first2=Rod}}</ref> |
On 27 November 2014, insurgents infiltrated Camp Bastion. As of Sunday 30 November, the Afghan National Army had not fully driven out the "Taliban" fighters. At least five ANA soldiers were killed in the attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/world/asia/taliban-overrun-an-afghan-army-base-.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%221%22%3A%22RI%3A11%22%7D&_r=0|title=Taliban Overrun an Afghan Army Base|work=The New York Times|date=29 November 2014|access-date=24 July 2016|last1=Goldstein|first1=Joseph|last2=Nordland|first2=Rod}}</ref> |
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The base was initially home to the Afghan National Army and during Operation Herrick 7 [[Yorkshire Regiment|2nd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment]]'s Battlegroup HQ.{{sfn|Grey|2010|p=IX}} |
The base was initially home to the Afghan National Army and during Operation Herrick 7 [[Yorkshire Regiment|2nd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment]]'s Battlegroup HQ.{{sfn|Grey|2010|p=IX}} |
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Before the 2021 Taliban takeover, home to 4th Kandak, 3rd Brigade, [[205th Corps]].{{sfn|Southby-Tailyour|2010|p=5}} |
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⚫ | The ring road, watchtowers and large parts of Bastion I still remain to be maintained.<ref>{{cite web |title=Back To Bastion: Returning Four Years After British Troops Left Afghanistan |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-uxOzTZ8iA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/1-uxOzTZ8iA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=Youtube |publisher=Forces TV}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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===United Kingdom=== |
===United Kingdom=== |
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During June 2011 a brand new air traffic control tower was opened<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-control-tower-for-bastion-airfield|title=New control tower for Bastion Airfield|publisher=MoD (UK)|access-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> which was built by 170 Engineer Group, with Fixed Communications Infrastructure installed by 241 Sig Sqn, 10 Sig Regt.<ref name="170EG">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-30342617|title=Beeston army engineers in homecoming parade|work=BBC News|date=5 December 2014|access-date=5 December 2014}}</ref> |
During June 2011 a brand new air traffic control tower was opened<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-control-tower-for-bastion-airfield|title=New control tower for Bastion Airfield|publisher=MoD (UK)|access-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> which was built by 170 Engineer Group, with Fixed Communications Infrastructure installed by 241 Sig Sqn, 10 Sig Regt.<ref name="170EG">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-30342617|title=Beeston army engineers in homecoming parade|work=BBC News|date=5 December 2014|access-date=5 December 2014}}</ref> |
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The main aviation unit was [[No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (United Kingdom)|No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/ |title=903 Expeditionary Air Wing |publisher=RAF |access-date=11 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060757/http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/ |
The main aviation unit was [[No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (United Kingdom)|No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/ |title=903 Expeditionary Air Wing |publisher=RAF |access-date=11 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060757/http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/ |archive-date=2015-03-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which was responsible for the operation of the airfield and operated the [[Raytheon Sentinel]] R1 - Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/astor.cfm|title=903 EAW 5(AC) Sqn - ASTOR|publisher=RAF|access-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213701/http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/astor.cfm|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> along with [[Westland Sea King]] ASACs and [[Thales Watchkeeper WK450|Thales Watchkeeper]]s. |
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[[Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)]] operated [[AgustaWestland Apache]]s, [[Westland Lynx]], Westland Sea Kings, [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Boeing Chinooks]] of [[No. 1310 Flight RAF]] and [[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland Merlins]] of [[No. 1419 Flight RAF]]. Both RAF Flights performed troop and cargo moves but the Chinook also carried the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and Incident Response Teams (IRT). |
[[Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)]] operated [[AgustaWestland Apache]]s, [[Westland Lynx]], Westland Sea Kings, [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Boeing Chinooks]] of [[No. 1310 Flight RAF]] and [[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland Merlins]] of [[No. 1419 Flight RAF]]. Both RAF Flights performed troop and cargo moves but the Chinook also carried the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and Incident Response Teams (IRT). |
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** OP H 7 - 40 Commando Battlegroup HQ{{sfn|Grey|2010|p=IX}} |
** OP H 7 - 40 Commando Battlegroup HQ{{sfn|Grey|2010|p=IX}} |
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** OP H 10/11 - 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (Egypt Squadron) |
** OP H 10/11 - 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (Egypt Squadron) |
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** OP H 13 - 16 Air Assault Medical Regiment - Elements of 19, 23 & 181 Medical Support Squadrons. |
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** OP H 19 - 4 SCOTS |
** OP H 19 - 4 SCOTS |
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** OP H 20 - [[26th Regiment Royal Artillery|26th Regiment RA]] |
** OP H 20 - [[26th Regiment Royal Artillery|26th Regiment RA]] |
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Marine Wing Suppprt Squadron-371(February 2009-October) laid aluminum matting in Camp Bastion and throughout Helmand Province. |
Marine Wing Suppprt Squadron-371(February 2009-October) laid aluminum matting in Camp Bastion and throughout Helmand Province. |
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On 14 September 2012 Camp Bastion was [[September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion|attacked]] by a unit of 15 [[Taliban]] fighters. The base was defended by pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel from [[VMA-211|Marine Attack Squadron |
On 14 September 2012 Camp Bastion was [[September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion|attacked]] by a unit of 15 [[Taliban]] fighters. The base was defended by pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel from [[VMA-211|Marine Attack Squadron 211]] and [[No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment]]. Base security had been reduced in the weeks leading up to the attack, and the Taliban unit was able to damage or destroy eight USMC [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier II]] jets before all were killed or captured. Two Marines died in the fighting.<ref>{{cite web |title=Camp Bastion assault: Details emerge of Taliban attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19704620 |website=BBC News |date=24 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A Taliban fighter survived the attack on Afghanistan's Camp Bastion. Will he get the death penalty? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/09/12/one-taliban-insurgent-survived-the-attack-on-afghanistans-camp-bastion-will-he-get-the-death-penalty/ |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> |
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===Other countries=== |
===Other countries=== |
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While the base was run by the United Kingdom, Camp Bastion was used by a number of other countries including Denmark (until 20 May 2014), [[Estonia]] (until 9 May 2014) and [[Tonga]] (until 28 April 2014). |
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===Hospital=== |
===Hospital=== |
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[[File:US Navy 111006-O-KK908-026 An MRI machine is set up at the Role 3 Medical Facility at Joint Operating Base, Bastion, Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|An MRI machine is set up at the Role 3 Medical Facility]] |
[[File:US Navy 111006-O-KK908-026 An MRI machine is set up at the Role 3 Medical Facility at Joint Operating Base, Bastion, Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|An MRI machine is set up at the Role 3 Medical Facility]] |
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Camp Bastion's Hospital was built by 170 Engineer Group<ref name="170EG"/> and was operated by regular and reserve personnel of the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force of the Joint Force Medical Group,<ref name="Boeing">{{cite news|title=RAF Chinooks continue operations In Afghanistan - Tactical and Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation|url=http://www.boeing.com/chinooknews/2011/issue_02/international_s5_p3.html|access-date=19 September 2012|newspaper=[[Boeing]]}}</ref> as well as medical assets from the US Army. Medical staff included |
Camp Bastion's Hospital was built by 170 Engineer Group<ref name="170EG"/> and was operated by regular and reserve personnel of the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force of the Joint Force Medical Group,<ref name="Boeing">{{cite news|title=RAF Chinooks continue operations In Afghanistan - Tactical and Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation|url=http://www.boeing.com/chinooknews/2011/issue_02/international_s5_p3.html|access-date=19 September 2012|newspaper=[[Boeing]]}}</ref> as well as medical assets from the US Army. Medical staff included orthopaedic surgeons, general surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and medics. The hospital was the location to which wounded military personnel from the British, US and other ISAF forces in Helmand Province were evacuated from the battlefield for treatment, supported by [[United States Army|US Army]], Navy, and Air Force medics, or from which they were further evacuated to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at [[Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham|Queen Elizabeth Hospital]] in [[Birmingham]]. Afghan civilians were also treated at the hospital for injuries sustained in war including victims of improvised explosive device attacks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Army medics in Afghanistan {{!}} National Army Museum |url=https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/camp-bastion-hospital |website=www.nam.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref> The hospital was closed down on 22 September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/forces-medics-bid-farewell-to-bastion|title=Forces medics bid farewell to Bastion|publisher=MoD (UK)|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> |
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A number of units were deployed to Afghanistan and worked at the hospital:<ref> |
A number of units were deployed to Afghanistan and worked at the hospital:<ref>{{Citation |last=Vassallo |first=David |title=A short history of Camp Bastion Hospital: the two hospitals and unit deployments |date=February 28, 2015 |work=J R Army Med Corps |volume=161 |issue=1 |pages=79-83 |year= |url=https://www.qaranc.co.uk/pdf/history-Camp-Bastion-Hospital-the-two-hospitals-unit-deployments-David-Vassallo.PDF |access-date= |publisher=BMJ Group |doi=10.1136/jramc-2015-000414 |last2= |first2= |author-link= |author2-link=}}.</ref> |
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{{Col-begin}} |
{{Col-begin}} |
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{{Col-break}} |
{{Col-break}} |
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* OP H 4 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|22 Field Hospital]] (Hospital Squadron) |
* OP H 4 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|22 Field Hospital]] (Hospital Squadron) |
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* OP H 5 - [[Royal Navy Hospital Squadron]] |
* OP H 5 - [[Royal Navy Hospital Squadron]] |
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* OP H 6A - [[ |
* OP H 6A - [[212 (Yorkshire) Field Hospital]] |
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* OP H 6B - [[ |
* OP H 6B - [[208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital]] |
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* OP H 7A - [[ |
* OP H 7A - [[201 (Northern) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 7B - [[ |
* OP H 7B - [[243 (The Wessex) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 8A - [[ |
* OP H 8A - [[203 (Welsh) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 8B - [[ |
* OP H 8B - [[204 (North Irish) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 9 - Royal Navy Hospital Squadron |
* OP H 9 - Royal Navy Hospital Squadron |
||
* OP H 10A - [[ |
* OP H 10A - [[202 (Midlands) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 10B - Danish Field Hospital |
* OP H 10B - Danish Field Hospital |
||
* OP H 11 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|33 Field Hospital]] |
* OP H 11 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|33 Field Hospital]] |
||
Line 182: | Line 191: | ||
{{Col-break}} |
{{Col-break}} |
||
* OP H 12 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|34 Field Hospital]] |
* OP H 12 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|34 Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 13A - [[ |
* OP H 13A - [[207 (Manchester) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 13B - [[ |
* OP H 13B - [[212 (Yorkshire) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 14 - Royal Navy Hospital Squadron |
* OP H 14 - Royal Navy Hospital Squadron |
||
* OP H 15A - [[ |
* OP H 15A - [[208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 15B - [[ |
* OP H 15B - [[201 (Northern) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 16 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|22 Field Hospital]] |
* OP H 16 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|22 Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 17A - [[ |
* OP H 17A - [[243 (The Wessex) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 17B - [[ |
* OP H 17B - [[204 (North Irish) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 18 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|33 Field Hospital]] |
* OP H 18 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|33 Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 19A - [[ |
* OP H 19A - [[203 (Welsh) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 19B - [[ |
* OP H 19B - [[202 (Midlands) Field Hospital]] |
||
* OP H 20 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|34 Field Hospital]] |
* OP H 20 - [[2nd Medical Brigade (United Kingdom)|34 Field Hospital]] |
||
{{col-end}} |
{{col-end}} |
||
==Current use== |
|||
{{expand section|date=December 2016}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
==Accidents and incidents== |
==Accidents and incidents== |
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Line 205: | Line 209: | ||
The base has been attacked several times including on 14 September 2012, when two [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC) service personnel were killed<ref>{{cite news|title=US marines killed in Afghan attack on Camp Bastion, Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible, 40, of Huntingdon, Pa., and Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell, 27, of Kokomo, Ind.|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19608561|access-date=16 September 2012|newspaper=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=15 September 2012}}</ref> and six USMC [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II]]s were destroyed and two were "significantly damaged." Three refuelling stations were also destroyed, with six soft-skin aircraft hangars damaged. Of the 15 Taliban attackers, 14 were killed and 1 captured.<ref name="ISAF150912">{{cite news|title=ISAF provides additional details on Camp Bastion attack|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-provides-additional-details-on-camp-bastion-attack.html|access-date=17 September 2012|newspaper=[[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF)|date=16 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919040457/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-provides-additional-details-on-camp-bastion-attack.html|archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref><ref>Also, [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/16/camp-bastion-afghanistan-complacency this article in the Guardian, April 2014]</ref> |
The base has been attacked several times including on 14 September 2012, when two [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC) service personnel were killed<ref>{{cite news|title=US marines killed in Afghan attack on Camp Bastion, Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible, 40, of Huntingdon, Pa., and Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell, 27, of Kokomo, Ind.|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19608561|access-date=16 September 2012|newspaper=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=15 September 2012}}</ref> and six USMC [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II]]s were destroyed and two were "significantly damaged." Three refuelling stations were also destroyed, with six soft-skin aircraft hangars damaged. Of the 15 Taliban attackers, 14 were killed and 1 captured.<ref name="ISAF150912">{{cite news|title=ISAF provides additional details on Camp Bastion attack|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-provides-additional-details-on-camp-bastion-attack.html|access-date=17 September 2012|newspaper=[[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF)|date=16 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919040457/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-provides-additional-details-on-camp-bastion-attack.html|archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref><ref>Also, [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/16/camp-bastion-afghanistan-complacency this article in the Guardian, April 2014]</ref> |
||
In May 2013 the [[BBC]] obtained documents showing that up to 85 Afghan nationals were being detained at Camp Shorabak.<ref name=Casciani>{{cite web|last=Casciani|first=Dominic|title=Afghans 'unlawfully held' by UK forces at Camp Bastion|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22691655|publisher=BBC News Online|access-date=29 May 2013|author2=Coleman, Clive|location=London|date=29 May 2013}}</ref> [[Philip Hammond]], the then defence secretary, confirmed that the UK was holding "80 or 90 Afghan detainees" at the base.<ref name="TheHuffingtonPost">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/29/afghans-detained-illegally-camp-bastion_n_3350492.html|title=Afghans 'Detained Illegally' At Camp Bastion, Lawyers Claim|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=29 May 2013|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] |
In May 2013 the [[BBC]] obtained documents showing that up to 85 Afghan nationals were being detained at Camp Shorabak.<ref name=Casciani>{{cite web|last=Casciani|first=Dominic|title=Afghans 'unlawfully held' by UK forces at Camp Bastion|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22691655|publisher=BBC News Online|access-date=29 May 2013|author2=Coleman, Clive|location=London|date=29 May 2013}}</ref> [[Philip Hammond]], the then defence secretary, confirmed that the UK was holding "80 or 90 Afghan detainees" at the base.<ref name="TheHuffingtonPost">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/29/afghans-detained-illegally-camp-bastion_n_3350492.html|title=Afghans 'Detained Illegally' At Camp Bastion, Lawyers Claim|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=29 May 2013|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] maintained the detention of the Afghans is legal.<ref name="TheHuffingtonPost"/> |
||
On |
On 1 March 2019, Taliban [[suicide bomber]]s and gunmen made an early morning [[2019 Camp Shorabak attack|attack]] on Afghan forces at Camp Shorabak, killing 23, following another round of talks between U.S. and Taliban negotiators.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taliban-attack-afghan-army-base-during-lull-in-peace-talks-11551460100|title=Taliban Attack Afghan Army Base During Lull in Peace Talks, Deadly clash shows violence isn't abating despite negotiations to end 17-year war |last=Nelson|first=Craig|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=2019-03-02|language=en-US}}</ref> According to an [[Operation Resolute Support|American military spokesman]], [[U.S. Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] advisers (who suffered no casualties) helped Afghan troops repel the attack.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/03/01/taliban-fighters-try-to-storm-base-in-helmand-province-housing-us-marines-and-afghan-forces/|title=Taliban fighters try to storm base in Helmand province housing US Marines and Afghan forces|last=Snow|first=Shawn|work=[[Marine Corps Times]]|access-date=2019-03-02|language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
==Commanders== |
==Commanders== |
||
* Group Captain Tony Innes (January 2013 |
* Group Captain Tony Innes (January 2013 – 2014) |
||
** Deputy: Wing Commander John Lyle (June 2013 – December 2013) |
** Deputy: Wing Commander John Lyle (June 2013 – December 2013) |
||
* Group Captain Jeff Portlock (August 2012 – January 2013) |
* Group Captain Jeff Portlock (August 2012 – January 2013) |
||
* Group Captain Dave Waddington<ref name="JP">{{cite web|url=http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/raf-boulmer-station-boss-lands-top-role-in-afghanistan-1-4485683|title=RAF Boulmer station boss lands top role in Afghanistan|publisher=Northumberland Gazette|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328195153/http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/raf-boulmer-station-boss-lands-top-role-in-afghanistan-1-4485683|archive-date=28 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> ( |
* Group Captain Dave Waddington<ref name="JP">{{cite web|url=http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/raf-boulmer-station-boss-lands-top-role-in-afghanistan-1-4485683|title=RAF Boulmer station boss lands top role in Afghanistan|publisher=Northumberland Gazette|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328195153/http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/raf-boulmer-station-boss-lands-top-role-in-afghanistan-1-4485683|archive-date=28 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> (unknown – August 2012) |
||
* Group Captain Al Gillespie |
* Group Captain Al Gillespie |
||
* Group Captain Scott Notman ( |
* Group Captain Scott Notman (February–September 2011) |
||
** Deputy: Wing Commander Gordon Pell (July 2011 – January 2012) |
** Deputy: Wing Commander Gordon Pell (July 2011 – January 2012) |
||
* Group Captain Guy van den Berg (October 2010 |
* Group Captain Guy van den Berg (October 2010 – February 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=7A9A5541-5056-A318-A823A6FFAFE5592B|title=New Commander Bastion|publisher=RAF|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105425/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=7A9A5541-5056-A318-A823A6FFAFE5592B|archive-date=28 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
||
** Deputy: Wing Commander Guy Edwards (January 2011 |
** Deputy: Wing Commander Guy Edwards (January 2011 – July 2011) |
||
** Garrison Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Cox |
** Garrison Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Cox |
||
* Group Captain John Cunningham ( |
* Group Captain John Cunningham (unknown – September 2010) |
||
** Deputy: Wing Commander Rich Yates (unknown |
** Deputy: Wing Commander Rich Yates (unknown – January 2011) |
||
* Colonel Angus Mathie ( |
* Colonel Angus Mathie (December 2009 – June 2010)<ref name="CBDIS"/> |
||
==In media== |
==In media== |
||
Line 230: | Line 234: | ||
* ''Extraordinary Dogs'' ([[Documentary Channel (U.S. TV network)|Documentary Channel]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Extraordinary Dogs |url=http://www.documentarychannel.com/movie.php?currID=9936&t=Extraordinary-Dogs:-Defense |access-date=19 September 2012 |newspaper=[[DOC: The Documentary Channel|Documentary Channel]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112192315/http://documentarychannel.com/movie.php?currID=9936&t=Extraordinary-Dogs%3A-Defense |archive-date=November 12, 2011 }}</ref> |
* ''Extraordinary Dogs'' ([[Documentary Channel (U.S. TV network)|Documentary Channel]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Extraordinary Dogs |url=http://www.documentarychannel.com/movie.php?currID=9936&t=Extraordinary-Dogs:-Defense |access-date=19 September 2012 |newspaper=[[DOC: The Documentary Channel|Documentary Channel]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112192315/http://documentarychannel.com/movie.php?currID=9936&t=Extraordinary-Dogs%3A-Defense |archive-date=November 12, 2011 }}</ref> |
||
* ''[[Prince Harry]]: Frontline Afghanistan'' ([[BBC Three]]) - aired 28 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ql1fk |title=Prince Harry: Frontline Afghanistan |publisher=BBC Three|access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> |
* ''[[Prince Harry]]: Frontline Afghanistan'' ([[BBC Three]]) - aired 28 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ql1fk |title=Prince Harry: Frontline Afghanistan |publisher=BBC Three|access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> |
||
* ''Gary Barlow: Journey to Afghanistan'' ([[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]) - aired 23 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week52/gary-barlow-journey-afghanistan#.UrjJ2B69KSM|title=Gary Barlow: Journey To Afghanistan |
* ''Gary Barlow: Journey to Afghanistan'' ([[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]) - aired 23 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week52/gary-barlow-journey-afghanistan#.UrjJ2B69KSM|title=Gary Barlow: Journey To Afghanistan|date=23 December 2013|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-date=26 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026235736/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week52/gary-barlow-journey-afghanistan#.UrjJ2B69KSM|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
||
* ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' (BBC2) - aired 9 February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2014/02/05/whats-in-store-for-top-gear-series-21/|title=What's in store this week on Top Gear?|publisher=BBC - Top Gear|access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref> |
* ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' (BBC2) - aired 9 February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2014/02/05/whats-in-store-for-top-gear-series-21/|title=What's in store this week on Top Gear?|publisher=BBC - Top Gear|access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref> |
||
* ''The Billion Pound Base: Dismantling Camp Bastion'' (Channel 4) - aired 7 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/billion-pound-base-dismantling-camp-bastion/episode-guide|title=The Billion Pound Base: Dismantling Camp Bastion|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> |
* ''The Billion Pound Base: Dismantling Camp Bastion'' (Channel 4) - aired 7 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/billion-pound-base-dismantling-camp-bastion/episode-guide|title=The Billion Pound Base: Dismantling Camp Bastion|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> |
||
* ''The One Show - Afghanistan: Coming Home'' (BBC1) - Series of films on redeployment of 2RTR soldiers and equipment from Camp Bastion. Filmed in September/November 2013. Narrated by Dan Snow and Tony Livesey. - aired January 2014. |
* ''The One Show - Afghanistan: Coming Home'' (BBC1) - Series of films on redeployment of 2RTR soldiers and equipment from Camp Bastion. Filmed in September/November 2013. Narrated by Dan Snow and Tony Livesey. - aired January 2014. |
||
*"[[Our Girl]]"([[BBC 1]]). |
*"[[Our Girl]]"([[BBC 1]]). |
||
*"Road Warriors" (ITV) featuring [[4 Regiment RLC|4 Logistic Support Regiment RLC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/5053089.abingdon-woman-soldier-back-from-afghanistan-features-in-television-documentary-on-the-road-warriors/|title=Abingdon woman soldier back from Afghanistan features in television documentary on the 'Road Warriors'|publisher=Herald Series|access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref> |
*"Road Warriors" (ITV) featuring [[4 Regiment RLC|4 Logistic Support Regiment RLC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/5053089.abingdon-woman-soldier-back-from-afghanistan-features-in-television-documentary-on-the-road-warriors/|title=Abingdon woman soldier back from Afghanistan features in television documentary on the 'Road Warriors'|date=11 March 2010 |publisher=Herald Series|access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref> |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Line 260: | Line 264: | ||
*[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/15/inside-camp-bastion Guardian report on Camp Bastion 2011] |
*[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/15/inside-camp-bastion Guardian report on Camp Bastion 2011] |
||
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9545508/Ive-been-inside-Camp-Bastion-and-it-seemed-like-the-safest-place-on-earth.html# The Daily Telegraph - I've been inside Camp Bastion - and it seemed like the safest place on earth] |
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9545508/Ive-been-inside-Camp-Bastion-and-it-seemed-like-the-safest-place-on-earth.html# The Daily Telegraph - I've been inside Camp Bastion - and it seemed like the safest place on earth] |
||
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29473419 |
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29473419 Photographer Robert Wilson inside Camp Bastion] |
||
{{Airports in Afghanistan}} |
{{Airports in Afghanistan}} |
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[[Category:Military bases of the United Kingdom in Afghanistan]] |
[[Category:Military bases of the United Kingdom in Afghanistan]] |
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[[Category:Prisons in Afghanistan]] |
[[Category:Prisons in Afghanistan]] |
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[[Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]] |
[[Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) sites]] |
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[[Category:Afghanistan–Denmark military relations|Bases]] |
[[Category:Afghanistan–Denmark military relations|Bases]] |
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[[Category:Military installations of Afghanistan|Estonia]] |
[[Category:Military installations of Afghanistan|Estonia]] |
||
[[Category:Military installations of Estonia|Afghanistan]] |
[[Category:Military installations of Estonia|Afghanistan]] |
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[[Category:Military installations established in 2006]] |
Latest revision as of 11:38, 5 October 2024
Camp Shorabak | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
کمپ شورابک | |||||||
Near Gereshk, Helmand Province in Afghanistan | |||||||
Coordinates | 31°51′06″N 064°11′52″E / 31.85167°N 64.19778°E | ||||||
Site information | |||||||
Owner | Ministry of Defense | ||||||
Operator | Afghan Armed Forces | ||||||
Site history | |||||||
Built | 2005 | ||||||
In use | 2005–present | ||||||
Garrison information | |||||||
Past commanders | RAF Group Captain Tony Innes, Commander Bastion and Commanding Officer 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.[1] | ||||||
Airfield information | |||||||
Identifiers | IATA: OAZ, ICAO: OAZI | ||||||
Elevation | 2,915 feet (888 m) AMSL | ||||||
| |||||||
| |||||||
[2] Garrison of 11,000–12,000 troops.[3] Could hold over 28,000/[4] 32,000 troops.[5] Airfield Sources: AIP Afghanistan,[6] DoD FLIP[7] |
Camp Shorabak (formerly Camp Bastion) is a former British Army airbase, located northwest of the city of Lashkargah in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The camp was situated in a remote desert area, far from population centres.
The camp was built by the British Army in 2005-06, and on 27 October 2014 the British Army handed over control to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. Between 2005 and October 2014 it was the logistics hub for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations in Helmand during the War in Afghanistan and Operation Herrick,[8][9] and it was capable of accommodating over 32,000 people.[5] It was the largest British overseas military camp built since the Second World War.[10] The base was also home to troops from other states, including the United States and Denmark.[11]
Shorabak contained the Afghan National Army (ANA) camp (also called Camp Shorabak), and also held Camp Leatherneck until 2014.[10]
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in July–August 2021; the camp is now under control by the Taliban.[12]
History
[edit]Camp Shorabak was known as Camp Bastion until 2014. It was a tactical landing zone set up by two air traffic controllers from the Royal Air Force's Tactical Air Traffic Control Unit. This provided a vital and strategic insertion point in Helmand Province during the western intervention in the War in Afghanistan.
The camp started out with just a few tents in 2005.[10] However, from early 2006 personnel from 39 Engineer Regiment Royal Engineers and various contracting firms, all under the supervision of 62 Works Group Royal Engineers started to build the base with more robust facilities. In November 2006, the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Camp Bastion, and, while addressing a gathering of British troops, described it as an "extraordinary piece of desert ... where the fate of world security in the early 21st century is going to be decided".[13]
Four miles long by two miles wide, the camp had a busy airfield and a field hospital and originally had full accommodation for 2,000 people.[14]
The base was originally named by the Commanding Officer of 62 Works Group (RE) based upon name of the gabions used to form the compounds walls; Hesco Bastion.[15] The first camp to be built was Camp 251 which housed the construction force and they were housed in tents.[16] The first runway capable of handling C-17s direct from the United Kingdom opened in Camp Bastion on 3 December 2007.[17]
The base had previously been divided into a number of different sections (bastions). Bastions 1 and 2 were the first, with Bastion 2 containing Camp Barber (US) and Camp Viking (DK). Bastion 0 was added in around 2010 and housed the contractors and Bastion 3 was used for in-theatre training.
Camp Bastion included Bastion Airfield, Bastion Garrison and Camp Leatherneck[18] along with Rowe Lines.[19]
By September 2014 it was reported that both Bastion 2 and 3 had reverted to desert.[16]
Camp Bastion airfield and heliport handled up to 600 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft movements every day in 2011, operating combat, medical and logistics flights.[8] Its air traffic controllers were integral to the support of the UK's operations in southern Afghanistan and the Air Traffic Control Squadron at Camp Bastion was the first to recruit and train US Marines to UK air traffic control standards.[20]
In February 2014, snow fell in Camp Bastion for the first time since the base was established, eight years earlier.[21]
The camp was handed over to the control of the Afghan security forces on 26 October 2014.[9][22]
On 27 November 2014, insurgents infiltrated Camp Bastion. As of Sunday 30 November, the Afghan National Army had not fully driven out the "Taliban" fighters. At least five ANA soldiers were killed in the attack.[23]
Upon completion of British and US military withdrawal from Camp Bastion, it was renamed Camp Shorabak as this was the name of the Afghan base situated there.
In December 2015, it was announced that a small contingency of British troops would return to Camp Shorabak in an advisory role, due to the Taliban overrun of Sangin district in Helmand province.[24]
The base was initially home to the Afghan National Army and during Operation Herrick 7 2nd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment's Battlegroup HQ.[25]
Before the 2021 Taliban takeover, home to 4th Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps.[26]
The ring road, watchtowers and large parts of Bastion I still remain to be maintained.[27]
United Kingdom
[edit]Aviation
[edit]The main user of the camp was the United Kingdom which based a number of rotary and a few fixed-wing aircraft.
During June 2011 a brand new air traffic control tower was opened[28] which was built by 170 Engineer Group, with Fixed Communications Infrastructure installed by 241 Sig Sqn, 10 Sig Regt.[29]
The main aviation unit was No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing[30] which was responsible for the operation of the airfield and operated the Raytheon Sentinel R1 - Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR)[31] along with Westland Sea King ASACs and Thales Watchkeepers.
Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) operated AgustaWestland Apaches, Westland Lynx, Westland Sea Kings, Boeing Chinooks of No. 1310 Flight RAF and AgustaWestland Merlins of No. 1419 Flight RAF. Both RAF Flights performed troop and cargo moves but the Chinook also carried the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and Incident Response Teams (IRT).
Ground based
[edit]The UK had a large number of major units based here:
- Afghanistan Media Operations Cell[32]
- Crew Training School (for vehicles)
- EOD & Search Task Force[33]
- Joint Force Support (Afghanistan) which included:[34]
A number of smaller units were also deployed here including:
- Base Security
- No 2 Tactical Police Sqn, Royal Air Force Police
- OP H 19 - A Company - The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland
- Joint ISTAR Group (brigade surveillance and reconnaissance support)
- OP H 19 - 9th/12th Royal Lancers
- Units based at Bastion
- OP H 7 - 40 Commando Battlegroup HQ[25]
- OP H 10/11 - 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (Egypt Squadron)
- OP H 13 - 16 Air Assault Medical Regiment - Elements of 19, 23 & 181 Medical Support Squadrons.
- OP H 19 - 4 SCOTS
- OP H 20 - 26th Regiment RA
The base was protected by the Bastion Force Protection Wing as part of the multi-national Task Force Belleau Wood.[36]
During August 2013 the Headquarters of Task Force Helmand moved from Lashkar Gah to Bastion.[37]
In 2013, a training school for Afghan troops was opened.[38]
By March 2014, the population of the camp had reduced to 4,000 UK service personnel, as preparations were well-underway for UK military withdrawal from Helmand[39] in October 2014.[22]
During the dismantling of the base the scrap metal was taken away by ProCon Building Materials Trading LLC.[40]
United States
[edit]The United States Military used part of Bastion Airfield for their aircraft and they had their own camp within Camp Bastion until 26 October 2014.
The last unit was the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) which began operating from April 2014. It consisted of:
- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 (HMLA-467) which operated Bell AH-1W SuperCobras and Bell UH-1Y Venoms.[41]
- Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 (MWSS-274) from 7 April 2014.[42]
Marine Wing Suppprt Squadron-371(February 2009-October) laid aluminum matting in Camp Bastion and throughout Helmand Province.
On 14 September 2012 Camp Bastion was attacked by a unit of 15 Taliban fighters. The base was defended by pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel from Marine Attack Squadron 211 and No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment. Base security had been reduced in the weeks leading up to the attack, and the Taliban unit was able to damage or destroy eight USMC AV-8B Harrier II jets before all were killed or captured. Two Marines died in the fighting.[43][44]
Other countries
[edit]While the base was run by the United Kingdom, Camp Bastion was used by a number of other countries including Denmark (until 20 May 2014), Estonia (until 9 May 2014) and Tonga (until 28 April 2014).
Hospital
[edit]Camp Bastion's Hospital was built by 170 Engineer Group[29] and was operated by regular and reserve personnel of the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force of the Joint Force Medical Group,[35] as well as medical assets from the US Army. Medical staff included orthopaedic surgeons, general surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and medics. The hospital was the location to which wounded military personnel from the British, US and other ISAF forces in Helmand Province were evacuated from the battlefield for treatment, supported by US Army, Navy, and Air Force medics, or from which they were further evacuated to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Afghan civilians were also treated at the hospital for injuries sustained in war including victims of improvised explosive device attacks.[45] The hospital was closed down on 22 September 2014.[46]
A number of units were deployed to Afghanistan and worked at the hospital:[47]
Accidents and incidents
[edit]The base has been attacked several times including on 14 September 2012, when two United States Marine Corps (USMC) service personnel were killed[48] and six USMC McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier IIs were destroyed and two were "significantly damaged." Three refuelling stations were also destroyed, with six soft-skin aircraft hangars damaged. Of the 15 Taliban attackers, 14 were killed and 1 captured.[49][50]
In May 2013 the BBC obtained documents showing that up to 85 Afghan nationals were being detained at Camp Shorabak.[51] Philip Hammond, the then defence secretary, confirmed that the UK was holding "80 or 90 Afghan detainees" at the base.[52] The Ministry of Defence maintained the detention of the Afghans is legal.[52]
On 1 March 2019, Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen made an early morning attack on Afghan forces at Camp Shorabak, killing 23, following another round of talks between U.S. and Taliban negotiators.[53] According to an American military spokesman, U.S. Marine advisers (who suffered no casualties) helped Afghan troops repel the attack.[54]
Commanders
[edit]- Group Captain Tony Innes (January 2013 – 2014)
- Deputy: Wing Commander John Lyle (June 2013 – December 2013)
- Group Captain Jeff Portlock (August 2012 – January 2013)
- Group Captain Dave Waddington[55] (unknown – August 2012)
- Group Captain Al Gillespie
- Group Captain Scott Notman (February–September 2011)
- Deputy: Wing Commander Gordon Pell (July 2011 – January 2012)
- Group Captain Guy van den Berg (October 2010 – February 2011)[56]
- Deputy: Wing Commander Guy Edwards (January 2011 – July 2011)
- Garrison Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Cox
- Group Captain John Cunningham (unknown – September 2010)
- Deputy: Wing Commander Rich Yates (unknown – January 2011)
- Colonel Angus Mathie (December 2009 – June 2010)[8]
In media
[edit]Camp Shorabak has been featured in several documentaries, often focusing on medical evacuations.
- The Air Hospital (Channel 4) - aired 25 March 2010.[57]
- Frontline Medicine (BBC 2) - aired 20 and 27 November 2011.[58]
- Extraordinary Dogs (Documentary Channel).[59]
- Prince Harry: Frontline Afghanistan (BBC Three) - aired 28 January 2013.[60]
- Gary Barlow: Journey to Afghanistan (ITV) - aired 23 December 2013.[61]
- Top Gear (BBC2) - aired 9 February 2014.[62]
- The Billion Pound Base: Dismantling Camp Bastion (Channel 4) - aired 7 December 2014.[63]
- The One Show - Afghanistan: Coming Home (BBC1) - Series of films on redeployment of 2RTR soldiers and equipment from Camp Bastion. Filmed in September/November 2013. Narrated by Dan Snow and Tony Livesey. - aired January 2014.
- "Our Girl"(BBC 1).
- "Road Warriors" (ITV) featuring 4 Logistic Support Regiment RLC[64]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ "Change Of Command For CO 903 EAW At Camp Bastion". Royal Air Force (RAF). 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ Airport record for Camp Bastion Airport at Landings.com. Retrieved 1-8-2013
- ^ "Camp Bastion Army Base". Army Technology.
- ^ LandWarfareCentre 2015, p. 30.
- ^ a b "Dismantling Camp Bastion". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Aeronautical Information Publication Republic of Afghanistan Part 3" (PDF). acaa.gov.af (91 ed.). 20 May 2021. pp. 62–86. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ DoD Flight Information Publication (Enroute) - Supplement Eastern Europe and Asia. St. Louis, Missouri: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2017. p. B-15.
- ^ a b c "Camp Bastion doubles in size". MoD (UK). 18 May 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
- ^ a b "UK base in Afghanistan handed over". BBC News Online. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Bye-bye Bastion". Ministry of Defence (MoD (UK)). Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Commander Bastion takes charge of UK's main Helmand base and its airfield". MoD (UK). 18 October 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
- ^ "Bitter blow: UK's former hub in Afghanistan captured by Taliban". Business Standard India. 13 August 2021.
- ^ Patrick Wintour (21 November 2006). "Bleak Camp Bastion - and a vision of roses and saffron". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
- ^ Raymond Whitaker (3 December 2006). "Camp Bastion: Welcome to Helmand". The Independent. Archived from the original on 22 September 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
- ^ "Inside Camp Bastion". www.theguardian.com. Guardian news. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "How to Close Camp Bastion". Forces TV. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ^ March 2008, p. 7.
- ^ "903 Expeditionary Air Wing". RAF. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ "WAR STORY: STUDIES OF CAMP BASTION AND MAIN OPERATING BASE LASHKAR GAH DURING OPERATION HERRICK XVI, AUGUST 2012". IWM. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "IN PICTURES: New runway takes shape at Camp Bastion". MoD (UK). 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "Troops under attack - from snow". Irish Independent. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ a b Drwiega, Andrew. "Combat Operations Cease from Camp Bastion-Leatherneck Archived 2014-10-29 at the Wayback Machine" Aviation Today, 28 October 2014. Accessed: 29 October 2014.
- ^ Goldstein, Joseph; Nordland, Rod (29 November 2014). "Taliban Overrun an Afghan Army Base". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "Afghanistan Taliban: British military deployed to Helmand". BBC News. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ a b Grey 2010, p. IX.
- ^ Southby-Tailyour 2010, p. 5.
- ^ "Back To Bastion: Returning Four Years After British Troops Left Afghanistan". Youtube. Forces TV. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "New control tower for Bastion Airfield". MoD (UK). Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Beeston army engineers in homecoming parade". BBC News. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ "903 Expeditionary Air Wing". RAF. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "903 EAW 5(AC) Sqn - ASTOR". RAF. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ "WAR STORY: STUDIES OF CAMP BASTION AND MAIN OPERATING BASE LASHKAR GAH DURING OPERATION HERRICK XVI, AUGUST 2012". IWM. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "WAR STORY: STUDIES OF CAMP BASTION AND MAIN OPERATING BASE LASHKAR GAH DURING OPERATION HERRICK XVI, AUGUST 2012". IWM. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Handover of UK headquarters team in Afghanistan". MoD (UK). Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ a b "RAF Chinooks continue operations In Afghanistan - Tactical and Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation". Boeing. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ^ "RAF protecting Camp Bastion". MoD (UK). 25 June 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "British headquarters in Afghanistan moves to Camp Bastion". BBC News. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ "Afghan Army trained by British troops". The Daily Star. Manchester, UK. 12 October 2013.
- ^ "Saying goodbye to Camp Bastion". BBC News Online. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ "FoI Request" (PDF). MoD. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
- ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. July 2014. p. 25.
- ^ "Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 transfers authority to MWSS-274 as last wing support unit in Afghanistan". DVIDS. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ "Camp Bastion assault: Details emerge of Taliban attack". BBC News. 24 September 2012.
- ^ "A Taliban fighter survived the attack on Afghanistan's Camp Bastion. Will he get the death penalty?". Washington Post.
- ^ "Army medics in Afghanistan | National Army Museum". www.nam.ac.uk.
- ^ "Forces medics bid farewell to Bastion". MoD (UK). Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ Vassallo, David (28 February 2015), "A short history of Camp Bastion Hospital: the two hospitals and unit deployments" (PDF), J R Army Med Corps, vol. 161, no. 1, BMJ Group, pp. 79–83, doi:10.1136/jramc-2015-000414.
- ^ "US marines killed in Afghan attack on Camp Bastion, Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible, 40, of Huntingdon, Pa., and Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell, 27, of Kokomo, Ind". British Broadcasting Corporation. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
- ^ "ISAF provides additional details on Camp Bastion attack". International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). 16 September 2012. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ Also, this article in the Guardian, April 2014
- ^ Casciani, Dominic; Coleman, Clive (29 May 2013). "Afghans 'unlawfully held' by UK forces at Camp Bastion". London: BBC News Online. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Afghans 'Detained Illegally' At Camp Bastion, Lawyers Claim". The Huffington Post. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ Nelson, Craig. "Taliban Attack Afghan Army Base During Lull in Peace Talks, Deadly clash shows violence isn't abating despite negotiations to end 17-year war". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ Snow, Shawn. "Taliban fighters try to storm base in Helmand province housing US Marines and Afghan forces". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ "RAF Boulmer station boss lands top role in Afghanistan". Northumberland Gazette. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "New Commander Bastion". RAF. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "The Air Hospital". Channel 4. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "TV programme showcases military medics' work in Helmand". MoD (UK). 18 November 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ^ "Extraordinary Dogs". Documentary Channel. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ^ "Prince Harry: Frontline Afghanistan". BBC Three. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Gary Barlow: Journey To Afghanistan". 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ "What's in store this week on Top Gear?". BBC - Top Gear. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ "The Billion Pound Base: Dismantling Camp Bastion". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ^ "Abingdon woman soldier back from Afghanistan features in television documentary on the 'Road Warriors'". Herald Series. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
Bibliography
[edit]- Grey, S (2010). Operation Snakebite. UK: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-141-03830-8.
- LandWarfareCentre, AD (2015). Operation Herrick Campaign Study. Land Warfare Centre, Warminster, Wiltshire, UK: MoD.
- March, P (2008). The Royal Air Force Yearbook 2008. Fairford, UK: The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises.
- Southby-Tailyour, E (2010). 3 Commando Brigade - Helmand Assault. UK: Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0-09193-776-8.
External links
[edit]- 2006 establishments in Afghanistan
- 2006 in the United Kingdom
- Helmand Province
- Human rights in Afghanistan
- Installations of the British Army
- Internment camps
- Military installations of Denmark
- Military bases of the United Kingdom in Afghanistan
- Prisons in Afghanistan
- War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) sites
- Afghanistan–Denmark military relations
- Military installations of Afghanistan
- Military installations of Estonia
- Military installations established in 2006