Us Marine Presence In Afghanistan: A Complex Engagement

Yes, there have been US Marines in Afghanistan. In August 2021, 11 US Marines were killed in a suicide bombing outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. This was one of the deadliest days for American forces in the 20-year war in Afghanistan. The US Marine Corps has had several bases in Afghanistan, including Camp Dwyer, Camp Leatherneck, and FOB Delaram.

US Marine Corps' role in the Kabul airport suicide bombing

On 26 August 2021, a suicide bombing at Kabul airport's Abbey Gate killed 13 US service members and more than 100 Afghans. The US Marine Corps suffered 11 fatalities in the attack, with several others injured.

US Marine Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who survived the attack, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. He described the US State Department as "not prepared to be at" the airport and claimed that threat warnings were disregarded by the higher command. Vargas-Andrews recalled spotting a potential suicide bomber in the crowd and requesting permission to shoot, but receiving no clear answer from his battalion commander.

The attack was one of the deadliest days for American forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. The US House of Representatives posthumously awarded the 13 fallen service members the Congressional Gold Medal. President Biden called them "heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others."

Marine Corps' involvement in the Afghanistan evacuation

The evacuation of Afghanistan in 2021 was a frenzied and chaotic affair. Over 1,000 photos and 60 videos were taken by U.S. military photographers during the evacuation, but few captured the reality of what was happening on the ground.

The U.S. Marines were involved in the evacuation efforts, with more than 2,000 Marines supporting evacuation operations and security in Afghanistan. The Marines were primarily focused on the evacuation control center, processing individuals out of the country, and providing security for those sites. They also participated in perimeter security at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, alongside the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

The Marines faced challenging conditions, with limited supplies, food, water, and ammunition, and had to deal with large crowds of desperate Afghans trying to flee the country. The conditions inside the airport were also difficult, with limited sanitation facilities, trash, and filth everywhere.

The evacuation was not without tragedy. On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members, including 11 Marines, and more than 100 Afghans. Despite the challenges and tragedy, the Marines played a crucial role in evacuating over 120,000 people from Afghanistan.

US Marine casualties in the Afghanistan war

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in a significant number of casualties for the United States military, including the US Marine Corps. While the conflict claimed the lives of service members from multiple branches, here is a focused discussion on US Marine casualties during this war:

US Marine Corps Casualties in the Afghanistan War:

The US Marine Corps, a vital component of the US military, endured losses during their involvement in the Afghanistan War. The conflict in Afghanistan was characterised by fierce battles, insurgent attacks, and the ever-present threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The US Marine Corps found themselves in direct combat with the Taliban and other insurgent groups, resulting in casualties among their ranks.

One notable incident occurred in November 2007 when a Marine was killed alongside five US Army soldiers during an attack on their foot patrol in Aranas, Afghanistan. This incident underscores the dangerous nature of ground operations, where patrols and convoys were often targeted.

In May 2010, a significant milestone was reached when the 1,000th American fatality in Afghanistan was a Marine from Camp Pendleton, killed by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol in Helmand province. This tragic milestone highlighted the mounting toll the war was taking on US forces, with IEDs and roadside bombs proving particularly deadly.

The deadliest deployment for the entire Marine Corps took place in the Sangin district. In October 2010, four Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines were killed when an IED destroyed their MATV (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle). This single incident underscores the extreme dangers faced by Marines operating in Afghanistan's volatile regions.

In August 2021, during the final stages of the war, US Marines were among the thirteen service members killed in a suicide bombing attack during evacuations at the Kabul airport. This tragic incident underscored the ongoing dangers faced by US forces even as the war was drawing to a close.

While the exact number of US Marine casualties in the Afghanistan War requires further specific data, it is clear that the Marine Corps endured significant losses throughout the conflict. These casualties are a reminder of the sacrifices made by US service members in the lengthy and complex war in Afghanistan.

Marine Corps bases in Afghanistan

Camp Dwyer is a United States Marine Corps installation and airfield located in the Gamir district of the Helmand River Valley in Afghanistan. The base was originally established as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) to combat insurgent activity in the Helmand Valley, a hotbed of terrorist activity.

Camp Leatherneck is a 1,600-acre base in the Washir District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It is commanded by the United States Marine Corps and serves as the home base for most United States Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan.

FOB Delaram is a Forward Operating Base of the United States Marine Corps in Delaram, Afghanistan. The base is located along the 2,000 km Ring Road, Afghanistan's main thoroughfare, connecting the country's major cities. FOB Delaram is currently home to the 3rd Battalion of the 4th Marines.

Marine Corps' role in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan

The U.S. Marine Corps played a significant role in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, known as Operation Enduring Freedom. The invasion was a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States by al-Qaeda, which was harboured by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

On November 25, 2001, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit became the first conventional U.S. troops to land in Afghanistan. Their mission was to secure Camp Rhino, a small airfield just south of Kandahar, where more U.S. troops would arrive as the invasion force gathered. The Marines travelled over 400 miles from the amphibious assault ship Peleliu in CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, with aerial refuelling along the way.

The Marines faced challenging conditions at Camp Rhino, including a lack of proper cold-weather gear during the winter. However, they successfully established and defended the airfield, allowing for the arrival of additional U.S. forces in the country. The 15th MEU's actions demonstrated the Marine Corps' capability in expeditionary operations and their ability to capture and secure an airfield during an invasion.

The Marine Corps' role in the invasion of Afghanistan was part of a broader effort by the U.S. military and its allies to topple the Taliban regime, eliminate al-Qaeda's safe havens, and prevent future terrorist attacks. The invasion officially began with U.S. airstrikes on October 7, 2001, followed by the deployment of ground forces two weeks later. The early phase of the war involved U.S. airstrikes and special forces working alongside the Northern Alliance and ethnic Pashtun anti-Taliban forces.

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