The full scale of a Taliban attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan has become clear as it emerged 15 insurgents wearing US army uniforms destroyed six Harrier jets, three refuelling stations and damaged a number of aircraft hangars.
As well as the two US marines who were killed, nine coalition staff were wounded in the attack, said ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force coalition in Afghanistan.
Coalition forces killed 14 insurgents and wounded one other, who was then taken into custody.
The attack happened shortly after 10pm on Friday when Taliban fighters, organised into three groups and armed with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests, breached the camp's perimeter.
The offensive took place near an airfield on the northeast side of the base, which houses American forces in Camp Leatherneck.
"The insurgents appeared to be well equipped, trained and rehearsed," an ISAF spokesman said.
"Dressed in US army uniforms and armed with automatic rifles, rocket propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests, the insurgents attacked coalition fixed and rotary wing aircraft parked on the flight line, aircraft hangars and other buildings."
The official said the six Harrier jets destroyed were US marine aircraft and that two others were significantly damaged.
Six aircraft hangars were also damaged.
The nine personnel who were wounded included eight military and one civilian contractor, ISAF said.
None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said two British soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment were shot by a man wearing the local Afghan police uniform at a checkpoint in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province on Saturday.
The deaths follow that of a soldier from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards who died on Friday after his vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack on Camp Bastion, saying it was carried out because Prince Harry was on the base, and also as revenge for an anti-Islamic film.
The Prince was unharmed and defence experts said he should not be withdrawn from his military role in Afghanistan, despite the attack.
Harry, an Army captain, is based at Camp Bastion for his second tour of duty to the country, which is due to last four months.
He was about two kilometres away with other crew members of the Apache attack helicopters, of which he is a co-pilot gunner, when the attack took place, sources said.
Tory MP Colonel Bob Stewart, a former commander of British troops in Bosnia, said he did not think the Prince should be pulled out of Afghanistan because of the Taliban attack.
"To hell with them," he said. "Harry wants to go there and our soldiers want him there. He should stay."
News home