BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Military officials provided more details May 21 on the May 19 attack here that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded several service members.
Sixteen insurgents were killed and five were detained after an estimated 30 to 40 militants launched an attack on the airfield's outer perimeter during the early morning hours. During the attack, coalition forces and Afghan police responded immediately, maintaining security on the airfield and blocking the insurgents' ability to completely breach the base's perimeter, officials said.
Meanwhile, Army helicopters providing aerial security during the attack engaged multiple insurgents outside the airfield.
Coalition forces killed four intended suicide bombers dressed in U.S. military-style uniforms before they could detonate themselves. An enemy mortar pit set up outside the perimeter was destroyed.
Following the attack, Afghan police and coalition forces detained five suspected militants after performing a presence-and-security patrol in a nearby village.
Three of the wounded service members were returned to duty, officials said, while all others were in stable condition. The name of the contractor killed in the attack is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.