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What happened in Benghazi is an aggravation, ‘a craw in our side’, with many veterans still today. It is a sad story of Americans being abandoned by their nation, and it’s unfortunately been used by many politicians for political gain. Excuses were made to explain what happened and to somewhat justify it. Both Republicans and Democrats distort the facts during TV appearances and hearings. But the damage to those left behind - the families and survivors - seems forgotten, without explanation.
Many Americans don’t even understand what these men and women went through - they were living in hell for the thirteen hours preceding the final assault and the evacuation from the CIA annex. Many incorrectly think that the four Americans - Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty - died during the initial assault on the U.S. Diplomatic Compound. There was actually four separate attacks; the first attack on the compound and then three more on the CIA annex where everyone fled to after the first assault. Also, ten others were injured in these attacks. The compound was not an embassy, which means that it didn’t have the normal security detail or bunkering/protections that an American Embassy has. Only five diplomatic security special agents were in Benghazi at the time of the attack; two of them were there by chance, having traveled with Ambassador Stevens from Tripoli. One mile away, a CIA team at the annex was the quick reaction force for the compound, but no one was supposed to know that the CIA security team existed.
Ambassador Stevens was adored by many Libyans and had a great fondness for the country. He felt he could make a difference in the lives of those in Libya, and wanted to show the people that the United States stood behind them in establishing a new democracy. Eastern Libya, Benghazi in particular, was a key hub for intelligence operatives monitoring Ansar al-Sharia and members of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Along with Ambassador Stevens, Secretary of State Clinton also wanted a more permanent post in Benghazi.
There was quite a bit of instability in the region prior to the attacks of September 11, 2012. There was frequent IED-related violence. The International Red Cross office in Libya was attacked and there was an assassination attempt on Dominic Asquith, the British ambassador. Requests were made for more security, but according to the regional security officer, Eric Nordstrom, they were rebuffed. Nordstrom told media that, for him and his staff, “it was abundantly clear that [they] were not going to get resources until the aftermath of an incident.” Lt. Col Andrew Wood, U.S. site security commander in Libya, testified that a regional security officer had tried obtaining more personnel, but was never able to attain a level of security that he felt comfortable with. It was pretty well known within the American intelligence community during the months preceding the attack that Benghazi was unstable and increasingly dangerous - and that a significant attack was imminent.
Top U.S. officials reported the attack as if it had been a spontaneous protest created by an anti-Muslim video...yet there were no such protests immediately prior to the attacks. There was, however, every indication that everything was premeditated. The assault began at nightfall, by militants swathed in flak jackets with covered faces. They were armed with RPGs, hand grenades, AK-47s, mortars, and machine guns. With that level of artillery, it’s quite apparent that this was not a spontaneous protest.
But for some reason...that is what we were supposed to believe.
Ambassador Stevens and State Department information management officer, Sean Smith - an Air Force veteran, died during the initial assault on the compound. The Global Response Staff team, which included former SEAL Tyrone Woods, left the CIA annex approximately twenty minutes later as the Quick Reaction Force in order to aid and/or rescue everyone at the compound. The Quick Reaction Force evacuated everyone from the compound to the CIA annex where they began preparing for potential continuing assaults.
In the ensuing hours, attacks continued as they bunkered at the CIA annex waiting for reinforcements or rescue. Meanwhile another former Navy SEAL, Glen Doherty, and six other men (five CIA operatives and two volunteer Delta operators) gathered at the Tripoli Embassy preparing to mount a rescue - 406 miles away from Benghazi. Since this was not a planned evacuation or rescue attempt by U.S. leadership, they had to figure some way to get to Benghazi. They somehow garnered $30,000 and, with a little persuasion of a couple of Libyan military pilots, they got them to fly from the airport in Tripoli to Benghazi.
At the Benghazi airport, they met up with supportive Libyan troops who took the team of seven men to the CIA annex. Upon arrival, Glen Doherty met Tyrone Woods on the roof of the annex. Within minutes, mortars were fired and both were mortally wounded - two more Americans killed in Benghazi within hours. After this final assault, everyone remaining was transported to the Benghazi airport with the help of the same Libyan troops who assisted Glen Doherty and his team.
The whole incident is very disappointing to me, and something I will never forget. We, as Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors, exist under an oath stating that we will “never leave our brothers and sisters behind”... but these people were left to die. They were left alone - abandoned by the administration, Congress, and in a sense, by their country. Their families also seemed to be forgotten as they never received any explanation regarding this incident. The names of everyone else who had been in Benghazi were also quickly forgotten. It seemed as though many Americans heard enough and didn’t want the truth regardless of the facts...and still don’t. Overall, the incidents that day were incredibly tragic, and I will continue to hope that someday everyone will have the answers they need!
Many Americans don’t even understand what these men and women went through - they were living in hell for the thirteen hours preceding the final assault and the evacuation from the CIA annex. Many incorrectly think that the four Americans - Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty - died during the initial assault on the U.S. Diplomatic Compound. There was actually four separate attacks; the first attack on the compound and then three more on the CIA annex where everyone fled to after the first assault. Also, ten others were injured in these attacks. The compound was not an embassy, which means that it didn’t have the normal security detail or bunkering/protections that an American Embassy has. Only five diplomatic security special agents were in Benghazi at the time of the attack; two of them were there by chance, having traveled with Ambassador Stevens from Tripoli. One mile away, a CIA team at the annex was the quick reaction force for the compound, but no one was supposed to know that the CIA security team existed.
Ambassador Stevens was adored by many Libyans and had a great fondness for the country. He felt he could make a difference in the lives of those in Libya, and wanted to show the people that the United States stood behind them in establishing a new democracy. Eastern Libya, Benghazi in particular, was a key hub for intelligence operatives monitoring Ansar al-Sharia and members of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Along with Ambassador Stevens, Secretary of State Clinton also wanted a more permanent post in Benghazi.
There was quite a bit of instability in the region prior to the attacks of September 11, 2012. There was frequent IED-related violence. The International Red Cross office in Libya was attacked and there was an assassination attempt on Dominic Asquith, the British ambassador. Requests were made for more security, but according to the regional security officer, Eric Nordstrom, they were rebuffed. Nordstrom told media that, for him and his staff, “it was abundantly clear that [they] were not going to get resources until the aftermath of an incident.” Lt. Col Andrew Wood, U.S. site security commander in Libya, testified that a regional security officer had tried obtaining more personnel, but was never able to attain a level of security that he felt comfortable with. It was pretty well known within the American intelligence community during the months preceding the attack that Benghazi was unstable and increasingly dangerous - and that a significant attack was imminent.
Top U.S. officials reported the attack as if it had been a spontaneous protest created by an anti-Muslim video...yet there were no such protests immediately prior to the attacks. There was, however, every indication that everything was premeditated. The assault began at nightfall, by militants swathed in flak jackets with covered faces. They were armed with RPGs, hand grenades, AK-47s, mortars, and machine guns. With that level of artillery, it’s quite apparent that this was not a spontaneous protest.
But for some reason...that is what we were supposed to believe.
Ambassador Stevens and State Department information management officer, Sean Smith - an Air Force veteran, died during the initial assault on the compound. The Global Response Staff team, which included former SEAL Tyrone Woods, left the CIA annex approximately twenty minutes later as the Quick Reaction Force in order to aid and/or rescue everyone at the compound. The Quick Reaction Force evacuated everyone from the compound to the CIA annex where they began preparing for potential continuing assaults.
In the ensuing hours, attacks continued as they bunkered at the CIA annex waiting for reinforcements or rescue. Meanwhile another former Navy SEAL, Glen Doherty, and six other men (five CIA operatives and two volunteer Delta operators) gathered at the Tripoli Embassy preparing to mount a rescue - 406 miles away from Benghazi. Since this was not a planned evacuation or rescue attempt by U.S. leadership, they had to figure some way to get to Benghazi. They somehow garnered $30,000 and, with a little persuasion of a couple of Libyan military pilots, they got them to fly from the airport in Tripoli to Benghazi.
At the Benghazi airport, they met up with supportive Libyan troops who took the team of seven men to the CIA annex. Upon arrival, Glen Doherty met Tyrone Woods on the roof of the annex. Within minutes, mortars were fired and both were mortally wounded - two more Americans killed in Benghazi within hours. After this final assault, everyone remaining was transported to the Benghazi airport with the help of the same Libyan troops who assisted Glen Doherty and his team.
The whole incident is very disappointing to me, and something I will never forget. We, as Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors, exist under an oath stating that we will “never leave our brothers and sisters behind”... but these people were left to die. They were left alone - abandoned by the administration, Congress, and in a sense, by their country. Their families also seemed to be forgotten as they never received any explanation regarding this incident. The names of everyone else who had been in Benghazi were also quickly forgotten. It seemed as though many Americans heard enough and didn’t want the truth regardless of the facts...and still don’t. Overall, the incidents that day were incredibly tragic, and I will continue to hope that someday everyone will have the answers they need!
Benghazi
Benghazi
American History
Command Post
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 232
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From Obama All the way down on his staff should be held accountable for that These Hero's will never be forgotten
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Both parties, as noted by Sergeant Borders, have used this incident to gain political capital. The Democrats to stay in power and avoid impeachment or other prosecution, and the Republicans to attack the DNC.
The problem for me is that these good men and their long-suffering families are not at rest.
My war was Vietnam, I was in the Infantry. We were pretty much by the book accept when some action was clearly identified as bullshit, which this Benghazi thing was from step-off to evacuation.
We were trying to dislodge a VC or NVA 50 caliber on a 200 meter hill surrounded by elephant grass. We weren't making much progress because every time we close, they'd open up. We couldn't get air. We got a chopper in and off it stepped a shiny, new Lieutenant. He got briefed by the Sr. NCOs and people who had been trying to get the machine gun.
Nodding his head crisply he said, "OK. We are going to mount a frontal assault led by our M-60, flanked by four automatic riflemen."
Well, we hadn't tried that yet.
A grunt from the South Bronx stood up and said "Here's your '60 Lieutenant," throwing it at him with 100 rounds in it, the Lieutenant caught it chest-high, "and what kind of lowers do you want cause I ain't goin'."
Whether all that was right or wrong is debatable, but the 60 gunner was chastised and we developed a different plan. Eventually we got arty and counted six KIA.
All that tells me that this Benghazi tragedy is one where someone needed to act, out of bounds and off the books, whatever, to save those men. To not do that, in this case, puts regulations, politics, etc. in a position of greater importance than the men or the mission.
The problem for me is that these good men and their long-suffering families are not at rest.
My war was Vietnam, I was in the Infantry. We were pretty much by the book accept when some action was clearly identified as bullshit, which this Benghazi thing was from step-off to evacuation.
We were trying to dislodge a VC or NVA 50 caliber on a 200 meter hill surrounded by elephant grass. We weren't making much progress because every time we close, they'd open up. We couldn't get air. We got a chopper in and off it stepped a shiny, new Lieutenant. He got briefed by the Sr. NCOs and people who had been trying to get the machine gun.
Nodding his head crisply he said, "OK. We are going to mount a frontal assault led by our M-60, flanked by four automatic riflemen."
Well, we hadn't tried that yet.
A grunt from the South Bronx stood up and said "Here's your '60 Lieutenant," throwing it at him with 100 rounds in it, the Lieutenant caught it chest-high, "and what kind of lowers do you want cause I ain't goin'."
Whether all that was right or wrong is debatable, but the 60 gunner was chastised and we developed a different plan. Eventually we got arty and counted six KIA.
All that tells me that this Benghazi tragedy is one where someone needed to act, out of bounds and off the books, whatever, to save those men. To not do that, in this case, puts regulations, politics, etc. in a position of greater importance than the men or the mission.
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Sad but very true statement. What if it was the President of the United States or the State Department Secretary? Watching the movie and reading the book has too many versions of what took place and especially what didn't. I can give you many more reasons why we shouldn't be getting involved with other foreign Countries if our military services and or our own political system don't work. It is very sad that none of their families was ever mentioned and they should have been.
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The whole episode of Benghazi is one that I will never forget! It was Hillary Rodham Clinton's watch and as Secretary of state at the time, she failed to do the right thing by the people she was responsible for... Especially Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith - who died during the initial assault on the U.S. Diplomatic Compound. Our then President, and Secretary of State initially reported that it was because of a video! HA! no video, just dereliction of duty! It truly saddens me that our leaders at that time distanced themselves from the atrocities, failed to give the order to bring in our forces who were, in fact reported to be within reasonable time & flying distance to have affected a possible different ending... Our people, in Benghazi were abandoned and left to fend for themselves... Of course, the narrative above is more exacting in detail, but never the less, this should never be allowed to happen!!!
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i think the deaths in Niger were just as bad, if not worse than Benghazi, but Trump supporters have been silent.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Sgt Ronald Wallace
Yes, the deaths are bad but both had completely different missions and scope. The U.S. and Nigerien forces were surveilling an Islamic State recruiter when they were ambushed. Yes, there are questions of whether U.S. troops in the region are properly equipped, and if air support is readily available. Also it is rare for U.S. personnel to encounter combat in Niger. The ongoing mission in Niger is what SF has done since JFK. The Niger patrol was predominantly composed of Nigerien forces, meaning the operation was Nigerien-led with U.S. troops serving as guides. What SF were doing in Niger was a train, assist and advise mission. But again this particular mission was a Nigerian mission. The problem in Africa is that U.S. troops in the region have to be active and that requires a presence, and Green Berets and special operators are basically filling a void that the U.S. State Department isn’t actively filling.
Yes, the deaths are bad but both had completely different missions and scope. The U.S. and Nigerien forces were surveilling an Islamic State recruiter when they were ambushed. Yes, there are questions of whether U.S. troops in the region are properly equipped, and if air support is readily available. Also it is rare for U.S. personnel to encounter combat in Niger. The ongoing mission in Niger is what SF has done since JFK. The Niger patrol was predominantly composed of Nigerien forces, meaning the operation was Nigerien-led with U.S. troops serving as guides. What SF were doing in Niger was a train, assist and advise mission. But again this particular mission was a Nigerian mission. The problem in Africa is that U.S. troops in the region have to be active and that requires a presence, and Green Berets and special operators are basically filling a void that the U.S. State Department isn’t actively filling.
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MSG Robert Gouge
I was waiting for someone to remember Niger - not as publicised and no three year long investigation. No reports, lessons learned, or changes so that our troops are safer while conducting these types of missions. The right is silent on this, a nothing to see here response. Yet they are appalled that Hillary didn't magically fly there in 20 minutes and lead a counter charge to expel the insurgents. But typical - the old if it's the left then it's the worst thing ever and if it's the right nothing wrong. I feel for the families of both tragedies.
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If people would stop and think, just a little, it would help all around. Did anyone ever hear of setting up an Embassy without first establishing a total security for the entire crew that are going to go in harms way. That is always the way it is supposed to work, however Ambassador Stevens had verbally stated he want to get there as soon as possible to meet the local people immediately. He should never had been allowed to go till full security was establish for entry, operations and evacuation. Check the records, it is all documented in black on white. There was no reason for any of those to be there at the time the disaster took place.
CW4 RAD
CW4 RAD
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LCDR (Join to see)
Ambassador Stevens Requested additional security assets more than once. His requests went without response..This is a matter of record.
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MSgt Fred Gottshalk
REPEATED requests. In fact his security was cut right after he got there .....Heard it from those WHO WERE THERE.......... Attend the Benghazi Tribute in Jacksonville Fl on Sept. 9 .'17
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LCDR (Join to see)
On this subject today, it is reported in the news that Department of State HAS YET to search the Department Of State (computer) servers for files on this subject. They only begrudgingly provided information from paper files and individual PCs. Apparently the investigation continues and, the judge who ordered this is an Obama appointee.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Since when do Dems and the State Department have to obey judicial orders? IST LT Sandy said no, they were exempt.
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On the brink of Nuclear war with N Korea and morons will still be "at least we didn't elect the Benghazi killer!" although Hillary has been proven innocent by REPUBLICAN lead commissions TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I love my fellow service members but will never understand why they so blindly follow GOP politicians just because they give you a pat on the back and say "I love you guys" a lot. With no positive actions to back it up other than sending you to pointless war after pointless war.
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Cpl Vic Eizenga
the corruption is a lot deeper the just the career politicians it shows more and more everyday. True our government needs a shake up there are to many people who are not living up to the oath they took.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
First I have a question... Why are you here? If we're on the "brink of nuclear war" why would you list yourself as a "potential recruit"? I also don't see how were are your "fellow service members". According to your profile, you have no stated affiliation other than "civilian".
Second, Clinton was "proven innocent"? Innocent of what?
On Benghazi no one was trying to suggest she was guilty of breaking the law. She was however guilty of lying to the American people, pushing for the actions taken in Libya to involve the US and double down on it after even our allies pulled out due to security concerns. She also failed to allocate funds to Libya, which is on her, not Congress. If you know anything about the Federal budget process, you would know that they make requests at the Secretary level and then from there they allocate based on their priorities and available funds. If they didn't have the correct amount of funds to properly secure the US Consulate in Benghazi, then why push for the Ambassador to go there? That's on her.
Personally, I do not follow anyone blindly. I seeks actual facts and context. I go beyond the surface level "this fits my rhetoric" information and make more informed conclusion. the fact is Obama, pressured by Clinton pushed for our involvement in Libya. They are both responsible for what happened there. Ambassador is only guilty of being an optimistic man who believed he could build relationships with the Libyan people, to which I commend him for, but his leadership should have seen the big picture, which even Stevens conceded to and informed them of. The security in the country was in chaos at best, we had no proper military assets in place to protect him. and in the end, our leaders attempted to lie about what happened, hoping no one would figure it out or care.
I'm not a fan of Trump, but I could never vote for Clinton either. In my professional opinion she did break the law and managed to get away with it.
Second, Clinton was "proven innocent"? Innocent of what?
On Benghazi no one was trying to suggest she was guilty of breaking the law. She was however guilty of lying to the American people, pushing for the actions taken in Libya to involve the US and double down on it after even our allies pulled out due to security concerns. She also failed to allocate funds to Libya, which is on her, not Congress. If you know anything about the Federal budget process, you would know that they make requests at the Secretary level and then from there they allocate based on their priorities and available funds. If they didn't have the correct amount of funds to properly secure the US Consulate in Benghazi, then why push for the Ambassador to go there? That's on her.
Personally, I do not follow anyone blindly. I seeks actual facts and context. I go beyond the surface level "this fits my rhetoric" information and make more informed conclusion. the fact is Obama, pressured by Clinton pushed for our involvement in Libya. They are both responsible for what happened there. Ambassador is only guilty of being an optimistic man who believed he could build relationships with the Libyan people, to which I commend him for, but his leadership should have seen the big picture, which even Stevens conceded to and informed them of. The security in the country was in chaos at best, we had no proper military assets in place to protect him. and in the end, our leaders attempted to lie about what happened, hoping no one would figure it out or care.
I'm not a fan of Trump, but I could never vote for Clinton either. In my professional opinion she did break the law and managed to get away with it.
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SGM (Join to see)
Capt Bud Adams you certainly have a point about race relations, chaos, lies, corruption and so on. Yet it seems that you blame only Trump for these. Are you completely blind to these same problems with HRC or BHO?
Race baiting has been rampant under BHO, and not the slightest indication it would get better under HRC. Both lied over and over, for example blaming Benghazi on a video. You complain (correctly) that Trump's cabinet is spenidng money like it grows on trees. Did you have the same complaint about BHO's spending, or is out-of-control spending only bad when done by a Republican?
I've heard this garbage about tax breaks for the filthy rich, and I'm tired of the lies. *I* am not filthy rich, and I got a break from Trump, whereas all I got from BHO was higher taxes. So *NO* there is no way you can get me to believe that lie. Just like you, I can't understand how you can blindly follow HRC or BHO. I just don't get it.
But what I do get is that we should have better candidates. We should have candidates that SET THE EXAMPLE, an example of morality, and responsibility, and civility, and frugality. We do not need candidates who need a legion of apologists to try and convince us that someone not smart enough to manage a mail server without putting classified information on it, is somehow smart enough to be President. Sure the Reps didn't give us one, but neither did the Dems. So when you run a responsible, admirable, conscientious candidate, who doesn't need someone to justify her lapses, then come and see me about my choice to vote for the lesser of two evils.
Race baiting has been rampant under BHO, and not the slightest indication it would get better under HRC. Both lied over and over, for example blaming Benghazi on a video. You complain (correctly) that Trump's cabinet is spenidng money like it grows on trees. Did you have the same complaint about BHO's spending, or is out-of-control spending only bad when done by a Republican?
I've heard this garbage about tax breaks for the filthy rich, and I'm tired of the lies. *I* am not filthy rich, and I got a break from Trump, whereas all I got from BHO was higher taxes. So *NO* there is no way you can get me to believe that lie. Just like you, I can't understand how you can blindly follow HRC or BHO. I just don't get it.
But what I do get is that we should have better candidates. We should have candidates that SET THE EXAMPLE, an example of morality, and responsibility, and civility, and frugality. We do not need candidates who need a legion of apologists to try and convince us that someone not smart enough to manage a mail server without putting classified information on it, is somehow smart enough to be President. Sure the Reps didn't give us one, but neither did the Dems. So when you run a responsible, admirable, conscientious candidate, who doesn't need someone to justify her lapses, then come and see me about my choice to vote for the lesser of two evils.
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These brave Americans will never be forgotten by me! Can't say that much for the government they so dedicatedly served!
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