Round shaped coin, antique brass in color, 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Click to enlarge
Unit/Organization Information
  • I Marine Expeditionary Force
  • Marine Aircraft Group 16
  • 3rd Marine Air Wing
Location
Coin Location: 13I3X
Homebase: Miramar, California
Deployment: Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
Additional Information
Date Acquired: Not listed
Donated by: LTC Guello
Copies: 1 of 1

C004779

Location: 13I3X

Coin: Command - Deployment

Active » U.S. Marine Corps » Logistics - Aviation

Narrative

Round shaped coin, antique brass in color, 1 3/4 inches in diameter.

Marine Aircraft Group 16.

LTC Guello writes: During the night of 14 September 2012, two teams of Taliban attacked Bastion Airfield where MALS-16 and VMA-211 (Marine Attack Squadron 211) were stationed. They destroyed several Harrrier Aircraft, temporarily took over the cryogenics/hazmat area of the MALS-16 compound and attempted to gain access to the flight line. Despite being armed only with a handgun, the VMA-211 Commander, LTC Christopher K Raible, lead a counterattack against the Insurgeents, but was killed by an explosion. At that time is when Marines like SGT Bradley Atwell from MALS-16 led a charge stopping the enemy in their tracks and making the untimate sacrifice for his fellow Marines and his Country. MALS-16 suffered one KIA (SGT Atwell) and three wounded. Fourteen insurgents were killed and one captured.