The remote U.S. outpost near the Pakistan border that was nearly overrun by insurgents last weekend has been abandoned and destroyed by American troops, military officials announced today.
Photo: Camp Keating
A Chinook helicopter lands at Camp Keating, Afghanistan, in this March 2007, file photo. A Chinook helicopter lands at Camp Keating, Afghanistan, in this March 2007, file photo.
The pilot of an Apache gunship, who flew to the rescue of U.S. soldiers nearly overrun at the remote Afghan outpost last weekend, told ABC News today that he'd "never seen that large of a force" on the attack. Collapse. (Sgt. Amber Robinson/U.S. Army)
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Americans demolished the base, dubbed Combat Outpost Keating, just days after an all-day fight last Saturday in which eight American soldiers were killed and 24 wounded. U.S. military officials estimate that as many as 100 of the attackers were also killed in the battle, which was the bloodiest in Afghanistan in the past year.
Keating was destroyed so it could not be used by insurgents.
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"When we first showed up and put our sensors on Keating, it was just kind of shock," said Bardwell, 35, of Liman, Wyo., who piloted one of a swarm of Apaches that rushed the base's defense. "All the amount of flames and the smoke and to see that amount of personnel running outside of their wire. It was really kind of shock."
Lewallen added, "I've been on three deployments and I've never seen that large of a force attacking one static position."
The number of attackers has been estimated from 100 to 200. Lewallen said he thought as many as 350 were involved in the assault.
Hunkered down inside the base's operations center were 1st Lt. Cason Shrode, 24, of Dallas, and Sgt. Jayson Souter, 22, of Tuscon, Ariz. The two men were working radios and directing traffic for the Apaches and attack jets that swarmed overhead.
But they knew the camp was ablaze and that insurgents had breached the camp's defenses and were inside the wire.
"It's definitely not a comfortable feeling to be at a place where you're most vulnerable, just not a comfortable feeling knowing these guys are right outside," Souter told ABC News.
The camp is located at the base of two steep mountains, allowing the enemy to fire down on the camp with a powerful .50 caliber machine gun and other heavy guns.
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Their needs have now thankfully been met by American patriots here, the American Legion, etc., but immediately after word of the attack started filtering out, this was the headline of a military wife's blog.
Survivors in Afghanistan Need Immediate Help - 56 Soldiers Lost EVERYTHING
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On another note, my great friend and troop support partner, Bob Connolly and I have been in direct contact with the unit's CSM after learning that the base was destroyed and the men lost all of their belongs except the clothes on their backs. The Army is working to replace uniforms for the men. But they need assistance with other personal items. And they NEED TO KNOW that we are thinking about them over here, too.
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The American Legion has taken on a different "part" of the project to get the Soldiers who lost everything back on their feet. Please go to their website HERE to help them with their goal.
You have all been MORE than generous. Those guys will have NO question that they are loved and appreciated and, more importantly right now, thought of. Give yourself all a huge pat on the back!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! - Please read to the end of this update (7 OCT 2009 1930 hrs)
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Tracking back
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I wanted to post really quick about this weekend’s deadly attack in Afghanistan as I’ve received lots of phone calls, emails and IM’s asking about SGT Daddy.
As you probably have heard, this weekend 8 of our 4th ID , 4th Brigade soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice in an attack from the Taliban(along with other groups) in Eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan Border.
I do not believe that SGT Daddy was one of the 8 (i would have heard by now), I haven’t heard from him yet either since the attack. In these types of situations, there is usually a communication blackout so that the families of our fallen warriors can be notified. I’m sure that is the reason for not hearing from him.
As the details get released about the 8 soldiers, I will of course update as much as I can. I will make sure to let everyone know if there is anything you can do. Of course, in the meantime, please pray for our soldiers and comfort for their families.
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Our hearts break, as we pray for the brave warriors who gave all and their families. May they know total peace in God's heavenly, peaceful meadows. May their valor and deaths not be in vain, and may God, reality, a semblance of conscience and the commitment of our military leaders inspire the man in the White House to be a Commander in Chief worthy of their incredibly noble sacrifice and honor by truly and fully supporting those remaining on the frontlines and their families.
