Two Marines killed in Afghanistan from Yuma

UPDATED -- The two U.S. Marines killed in an insurgent attack in southwestern Afghanistan Friday night were based out of Yuma, a military official confirmed Saturday.

The two Marines were from the 3rd Marine Air Wing’s Marine Aircraft Group 13 based out of MCAS Yuma. No further details on the two Marines were released. Families have been notified and the Marine Corps would release names on Sunday or late Saturday after allowing the families time to grieve.

NATO officials described the destructive attack as “well-coordinated,” with the insurgents wearing U.S. Army uniforms.

Six AV-8B Harrier jets were destroyed and two were badly damaged, according to a Saturday evening update from NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).  In addition, three refueling stations were destroyed and six soft-skin aircraft hangars were damaged.

Eight military members and one civilian contractor were wounded. Their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

“The insurgents appeared to be well equipped, trained and rehearsed,” ISAF Public Affairs said in a release.

Fifteen insurgents breached the perimeter of Camp Bastion in Helmand Province at about 10 p.m. (Afghanistan time) Friday and attacked the flight line with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and suicide bomb vests, according to ISAF. They organized into three teams and penetrated at one point in the perimeter fence.

Coalition personnel returned fire and killed all but one of the known insurgents. The surviving insurgent was taken into custody and is receiving medical care.

Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@yumasun.com or 539-6857. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSHillaryDavis or on Twitter at @YSHillaryDavis.