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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
If there are any Americans whi don’t understand this it’s becsuse of their ignorance. There are book, movies and many descussions. Sadly many American people choose to stay ignorant
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What really gets me. Is that the previous administration is touring the world tell a story of how they had no scandals under President Obama. I for one can not trust our Government... The media needs to be stopped with twisting narratives to favor a political party.
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Every time I think about what happened it saddens me. Then I get angered because I start thinking about her words during the hearing. "at this point what difference does it make". Never forgotten.
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This is truly a sad situation. It will never be explained. We had military personnel prepared to go in there and defend the Embassy and they were called back by that idiot Clinton. And then the cover-up began. May those men rest in peace and somehow there families find solace in their service and heroism! SMDH!
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I don't have the knowledge or experience many of the folks on this site possess. If I had been a flag officer or even a field grade officer I would have gathered the best intelligence I could get and ordered a rescue attempt. I would have worried about what Secretary Clinton thought about it later. Yes, it would have been a career killer, but we don't leave our people behind.
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There needs to be a clear impartial investigation that reveals to the public exactly what happened and why President Obama and Clinton blocked sending supporting forces.
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I agree with you........justice have not been served Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama should be accountable for these deaths
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Really the saddest part is the secretary of state (Clinton), chose to not have the military forces that could reach the CIA Annex. Then ahe developed the "video" story to blame on a protest against the United States. It is a damned shame that Hillary Clinton was our Secretary of State. A position she had no experience for, and never could fulfil. To say she panicked about Bengahzi is the ultimate lie. Let's hope, no ensure that the conformation hearìngs for the next democrat secretary of state, isn't pushed through so easily just because the nominee was a former first lady.
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The attack of the USS Liberty is a far larger forgotten tragedy and national disgrace of a cover-up. Many Americans don’t know anything of the incident or that it even took place.
We (US Gov/Mil) also knowingly left tens of thousands of American warriors in Stalin's hands following WWII, and hundreds more during the Korean War and Cold War. I remember that story reigniting 25 year ago shortly following the collapse of the USSR when Russia released a group of 80 surviving Japanese POWs from WWII in 1992; almost 50 years after the end of hostilities.
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/world/decades-later-tales-of-americans-in-soviet-jails.html.
http://articles.latimes.com/1992-11-12/news/mn-234_1_soviet-union
How many Americans were left behind after we pulled out of Vietnam?
In all reality, while Benghazi is a more recent event, it really is just a very minor blip on our extensive national history of leaving our warriors behind and in my mind does not rise to anywhere near the same level as previous events. And like the earlier events, I expect things to be swept under the rug, lost to history, and otherwise classified and hidden from public disclosure until the nation can once again falsely claim: "it was real terrible what those other people who are all dead did back then, but this is now and we don't do that any more" (as the next event gets swept under the rug too).
I tend to also have more heartburn over the thousand of forgotten veterans throughout America continuing to be neglected by the system and left to die (or kill themselves), than the 4 (8) victims of Benghazi. But then I just watched "Thank You for Your Service" this evening so all that and memories of brothers-in-arms who are no longer with us are fresh in my mind...
We (US Gov/Mil) also knowingly left tens of thousands of American warriors in Stalin's hands following WWII, and hundreds more during the Korean War and Cold War. I remember that story reigniting 25 year ago shortly following the collapse of the USSR when Russia released a group of 80 surviving Japanese POWs from WWII in 1992; almost 50 years after the end of hostilities.
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/world/decades-later-tales-of-americans-in-soviet-jails.html.
http://articles.latimes.com/1992-11-12/news/mn-234_1_soviet-union
How many Americans were left behind after we pulled out of Vietnam?
In all reality, while Benghazi is a more recent event, it really is just a very minor blip on our extensive national history of leaving our warriors behind and in my mind does not rise to anywhere near the same level as previous events. And like the earlier events, I expect things to be swept under the rug, lost to history, and otherwise classified and hidden from public disclosure until the nation can once again falsely claim: "it was real terrible what those other people who are all dead did back then, but this is now and we don't do that any more" (as the next event gets swept under the rug too).
I tend to also have more heartburn over the thousand of forgotten veterans throughout America continuing to be neglected by the system and left to die (or kill themselves), than the 4 (8) victims of Benghazi. But then I just watched "Thank You for Your Service" this evening so all that and memories of brothers-in-arms who are no longer with us are fresh in my mind...
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Kathlean Keesler
Thank you for educating me! I’ve been listening to this report = Truth Unite Libyan Intelligence Briefing by James and JoAnne Moriarty several weeks ago someone, anonymous in the military....suggested I listen and asked I share this. The nameless person stated this report will bring forward those “guilty” for Benghazi. *this report is currently on YouTube.com
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Those four were scapegoats as they did not want to do the guns from Lybia to the rebels to then the rebels in Syria which is what the Admin and members of the Senate wanted done. So these four had to be eliminated. The Admin with Hillary told all rescues to stay away to teach those four a lesson. Don't mess with Obama and Hillary. The problem with all that was it was Illegal to do the gun running. Then immoral not to do the rescue. Two wrongs do not make a right.
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Kathlean Keesler
Perhaps this report would interest you - Truth Unite Libyan Intelligence Briefing by James and JoAnne Moriarty located on YouTube.com
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