Afghanistan: Camp Chapman TR Mar13

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

• On 26 December 2012, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle-born improvised explosive device (VBIED) at the main entrance to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chapman near Khost City, Afghanistan. This terrorist attack killed an Afghan security guard and 3 civilians, and wounded 7 other local nationals.
• Shortly after the incident, the Taliban issued text messages and emails claiming responsibility for the attack, and exaggerating the actual number of casualties.
• Apparently to maximize casualties, the bomber struck early in the day, just as many local nationals were reporting for work. Secondly, this incident occurred almost exactly three years to the day after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) office at FOB Chapman suffered heavy casualties from an insider suicide attack.
• FOB Chapman is situated in one of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan, roughly seven miles northwest of the Pakistani border.
• The 26 December incident underscores the continuing priority that commanders should assign to force protection, especially on the anniversaries of previous attacks.