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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!
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 232
Is "The Forgotten" really an appropriate title or label when they are discussed ad nauseum whenever an abrupt subject change is needed from current political misbehavior?
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It's worse than that. Every man and woman serving in OUR military, whether deployed or CONUS, has reason to question whether OUR LEADERSHIP has their back. And, it doesn't stop with military, it is also anyone representing America abroad. Benghazi will never die in the minds of Americans.
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Kathlean Keesler
Our military seem to have become disposable- I’ve wondered why since “Vietnam” - this might interest you and “yours” - Truth Unite Libyan Intelligence Briefing by James and JoAnne Moriarty located on YouTube.com
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Appreciate you sharing this opinion/view and compassion. THANK you all collectively, all you who have served and who are actively serving our nation for your courage, integrity, endurance, faith and determination. Its vital we civilians understand, respect and support you have FREE SPEECH rights too, this is a fine example - God Bless the Benghazi victims families (I shall never forget) phewww.
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Suspended Profile
They are definitely not forgotten, they're truly my heroes :)
As I get older, I tend to forget names, but not incidents which happen. Benghazi and the four souls who perished there will not be forgotten by me. As it must not be forgotten by the former Secretary of State H. Clinton, former President Obama or anyone else who sat in the White House situation room that night. Congress, stop putting this sorrowful incident on the back burner. See that this never happens again. After Tehran in 1979, Benghazi was even more disgraceful.
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If you don't like what's on the news now, pick up a fucking book and learn something. Just because you threw all in with Hair Fuhrer doesn't mean you need to keep distracting the rest of the world.
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Benghazi is still in the news? Trump already won why are the Trump supporters still complaining about it? I mean there's like 7 or so hearing and investigation and every single time, Hillary has been exonerated. But what's truly amazing is that most of you active duty and veteran actually believes that Hillary is to blame, talk about sheep. I'm sure some of you people do know that only the Secretary of Defense can mobilize the military, not the Secretary of States. Also, I'm sure you people would know that the Republican congress cut funding for embassy security which was the biggest contribution to the death at Benghazi. Then again, I'm sure we don't give a damn about the other deaths at the other 30 or so embassy while GWB was POTUS because we are Republican and we hate the Democrat and the Muslim, illegitimate, and black POTUS.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Cpl Tou Lee Yang
Apparently you did not read the original post and you make assumptions. And yes Congress and the Administration are to blame. Nowhere is hate spewed against anyone. I personally have respect for President Obama but do not agree with his policies. I believe they were bad for our country. We can argue the merit of policies from the past or current administration all day but please don't assume there is hate when there was none in the original post.
Apparently you did not read the original post and you make assumptions. And yes Congress and the Administration are to blame. Nowhere is hate spewed against anyone. I personally have respect for President Obama but do not agree with his policies. I believe they were bad for our country. We can argue the merit of policies from the past or current administration all day but please don't assume there is hate when there was none in the original post.
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Cpl Tou Lee Yang
I read your post and I made a comment in accordance to my opinion. Benghazi is over and done with, it's ancient history. People who brings up Benghazi do it to vilify Hillary. The blame keeps pointing to Hillary no matter how you try to sugar coast this event. You may not have spewed any hatred towards anyone, but the point is clear as day as the Republican made a mockery of our democracy by investigating Benghazi with the sole focus on Hillary at lest 7 times. People bring it up in references to Hillary. And the blame should fall squarely on the REPUBLICAN Congress who cut funding for embassy security.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Cpl Tou Lee Yang -
And I could argue yours is just a liberal point of view only blaming the republican congress. And refusing to except any responsibility from the past administrations mistakes. Blame can be spread to all but the main core of responsibility goes to those in the situation room making or failing to make the correct decisions.
And I could argue yours is just a liberal point of view only blaming the republican congress. And refusing to except any responsibility from the past administrations mistakes. Blame can be spread to all but the main core of responsibility goes to those in the situation room making or failing to make the correct decisions.
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Cpl Tou Lee Yang
MSgt (Join to see) - Curt, it is a known fact that the Republican congress cut funding for embassy security. All you have to do is google, get the information from a non-biased site, compare and contrast. I know you would like and want to believe that it's the fault of both bases when in fact these death falls squarely on the Republican.
You act as if people were in the situation room when Benghazi occurred like the Osama raid. But contrary to popluar belief, I seriously doubt there were people in the room at all except in their own home because no one foresaw this happening. Please come back with some legitimate reason to deflect from this current and corrupted administration ran by a Russian puppet.
You act as if people were in the situation room when Benghazi occurred like the Osama raid. But contrary to popluar belief, I seriously doubt there were people in the room at all except in their own home because no one foresaw this happening. Please come back with some legitimate reason to deflect from this current and corrupted administration ran by a Russian puppet.
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Won't comment on what happened, as we all know these folks were let down. I will say, however, that this one hit home personally for me. Sean Smith was a coworker when this happened. He and I were assigned to the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. Sean was merely TAD to Benghazi to fill in a gap; he was supposed to return home in two weeks. It was particularly painful to see his wife in the days after.
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MSgt (Join to see)
CDR (Join to see)
Sorry for the loss of your friend sir! I just hope and pray the families find peace and they are blessed by the Lord.
Sorry for the loss of your friend sir! I just hope and pray the families find peace and they are blessed by the Lord.
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Political nonsense, a CIA op that went wrong. Hundreds of Marines killed at Beirut and the same political hacks don't even want to know. This is using their sacrifice for political gain
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SSG Edward Tilton
MSgt (Join to see) - The people at Bengazi were warned. They were doing intelligence work on a radical group. Are you making excuses for Beirut and the retreat afterward
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MSgt (Join to see)
SSG Edward Tilton -
Not at all! The Marines could have been much more prepared if not for the ROE. But again back in 83 the Marines were part of an international peacekeeping force. The Ambassador going to Benghazi with such a small detail was a terrible mistake given the intel that they had before hand and totally preventable. The two catastrophes are like comparing apples to oranges in my opinion.
Not at all! The Marines could have been much more prepared if not for the ROE. But again back in 83 the Marines were part of an international peacekeeping force. The Ambassador going to Benghazi with such a small detail was a terrible mistake given the intel that they had before hand and totally preventable. The two catastrophes are like comparing apples to oranges in my opinion.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SSG Edward Tilton -
Blame Reagan for what exactly? Are you saying the multinational peacekeeping force was unnecessary?
In retaliation for the attacks, France launched an air strike in the Beqaa Valley against Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions. President Reagan assembled his national security team and planned to target the Sheik Abdullah barracks in Baalbek, Lebanon, which housed Iranian Revolutionary Guards believed to be training Hezbollah fighters. But Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger aborted the mission, reportedly because of his concerns that it would harm U.S. relations with other Arab nations.
Blame Reagan for what exactly? Are you saying the multinational peacekeeping force was unnecessary?
In retaliation for the attacks, France launched an air strike in the Beqaa Valley against Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions. President Reagan assembled his national security team and planned to target the Sheik Abdullah barracks in Baalbek, Lebanon, which housed Iranian Revolutionary Guards believed to be training Hezbollah fighters. But Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger aborted the mission, reportedly because of his concerns that it would harm U.S. relations with other Arab nations.
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I always felt it was mostly the President, and he got off from most of the blame. He was running for re-election and claiming he defeated ISIS as part of it. Having a terror attack a few months before the election totally undermined that theme. So they made a story up about a youtube video causing it, sent out false stories to the press, put a guy in jail as part of the cover, made TV commercials apologizing for the video overseas. It just demonstrates the problem with both sides in politics and their followers. Either side can do almost anything, and half the country will blindly follow them, and half will scream. In the end, one side believes nothing wrong was done, the other says its a cover up. People need to stop viewing life through their political parties glasses, and look at real life. The reality here is, it seems there was some kind of illegal arms deal going on in the end like Iran/Contra, and it suffered a terror attack while it was going on. The administration felt the best course of action was to let them all be pawns in a political chess game and let them die to save other players.
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SPC Steven Depuy
The parties always run on the opposite of the other side, then get in and do the same. President Obama promised to get us out of wars trying to overthrow governments, then he helped overthrow two and tried to overthrow a 3rd. President Trump is following the same path with Syria, North Korea, and Venezuela. Its a joke bothering to vote for someone based upon their campaign, because in the end, they rarely do any of it.
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Kathlean Keesler
Wow - I'm sort of speechless with your firm comment - THANK you - dare I agree? If I dare agree will I be thought of as a born in America "idiot"? Left or right it sure seems to me we're engaged in "never ending wars".
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