The moment an attack by al-Qaeda in Iraq insurgents attacked a Marine base in Haditha is captured by a ground based operational surveillance system.

The footage you are watching was captured on July 24, 2006. It was recorded by a Marine from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in the city of Haditha. Clearly captured footage shows the moments a group of al-Qaeda in Iraq insurgents maneuver near one of their forward operating bases, and conduct a brazen daylight attack against the Marines on post.

At this time in the conflict, the ground based operational surveillance system, also known as the GBOSS, was a relatively new system. For the uninitiated, it was a high definition camera system mounted to the top of an extendable boom that would sit high in the sky with 360 degrees of visibility. in theory, this system could capture almost all movement around any base of operations where the system existed, and in this instance it not only captured the attack by AQI insurgents, it also captured the route in which they retreated once their attack failed.

If you were present with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Haditha, we want to hear from you about this attack down in the comments.