World News

6 Harrier jets lost in Afghan base attack

Published: Sept. 16, 2012 at 2:01 AM

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Afghan insurgents destroyed six Harrier ground attack jets and damaged two in an assault on a base in Helmand province, coalition officials said Saturday.

The destruction of the $25 million vertical-short takeoff aircraft occurred during a Friday night attack at Camp Bastion that also left two U.S. Marines dead and eight other coalition military personnel and one civilian wounded, the Department of Defense said in a release.

International Security Assistance Force officials said insurgents organized into three teams and armed with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests penetrated the base's perimeter fence.

Besides taking out the AV-8B Harrier jets, the insurgents destroyed three refueling stations were destroyed.

Fourteen militants were killed. A 15th fighter was wounded and taken into custody.

© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional World News Stories
Top News 1 child dead, 2 hurt, 1 missing after ground gives way in Minn. park ST. PAUL, Minn., May 22 (UPI) -- One child was killed and one was missing after rain-soaked soil gave way in a St. Paul, Minn., park where children were hunting for fossils, authorities said. West Point adviser charged with videotaping female cadets in shower Martial arts fighter says sex balm hurt his sex life Four school buses collide in Indiana; 50 students, driver injured Matthew Ryan Buquet pleads not guilty in Spokane, Wash., ricin letters	Entertainment News Obama presents Carole King with Gershwin Prize WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- President Obama presented the Gershwin Prize to a singer-songwriter he called "the one and only Carole King" at a Washington ceremony Wednesday night. Reports: Paris Hilton has record deal with Cash Money Records David Bowie's former bassist Trevor Bolder dead at 62 Beyonce to headline Women's Concert for Change Ari Graynor to star in TV comedy 'Bad Teacher'
Business News Report: Saudi bailout of Pakistan energy sector likely ISLAMABAD, May 23 (UPI) -- Pakistan may get a bailout worth up to $15 billion from Saudi Arabia for its troubled energy sector, a Pakistani official told Dawn newspaper. Tesla Motors pays off $452 million owed to U.S. government New Zealand beefs up defense spending Pension plans can make all the difference in retirement Bank of Japan issues upgraded assessment	Odd News Your Daily Horoscope UPI horoscopes for Thursday, May 23, 2013. The almanac MP Eric Joyce arrested at Edinburgh airport End may be in sight for Venezuelan toilet paper shortage Brit's arm takes six years to heal, breaks day after final treatment