[STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT SENGHAZI COMI REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, (605578762 Date: 10/20/2015 COSSTETO MOU Department of State — United States of America US. Mission Benghazi, Libya August 28, 2012 Introduction: US Mission Benghuzt isa small, but strategically important poston the forefront of “expeditionary diplomacy”. During the Libyan revolution, and while fighting raged across the country, Benghazi served asthe return point and base of operations for the U.S. Special Envoy to Libya, When the Qaddafi regime fel, andthe seat of govemment transferred to Tripoli, taking the U.S. Ambassador with it, US Mission Benghazi began the difficult transition from a “base of operations” to a post with a more traditional mission/consulate scope, “This transition has not been easy, and there is nothing traditional about this post, Operating ina hhigh threat environment where kidnappings, assassinations, and bombings are weekly, ifnot daily, occurrences, post enjoys neither the resources nor the host nation security support one ‘would find at a similarly rated post. DS Agents, forall intensive purposes then, are on their own ‘and protect both the mission end the officers here with the knowledge that outside assistance is, not readily available, Additionally, as US Mission Benghazi has no GSO or MGT Officer, DS Agents find themselves not only managing their own security programs, but also programs that fall ouside ther scope, such as motor pool, human resources, and housing, US Mission Benghazi has an uncertain future; Post is scheduled to close December 31, 2012. ‘Various altematives are being proposed, including collovating with the Annex. The RSO should bbe aware that requests for expensive security upgrades may be difficult ro obtain as headquarters is hesitant to allocate money to a post that may be closing in a few months. Security Kavironment: [Benghazi has been described as a semi-permissive environment. You have freedom of ‘movement throughout te city; however the constant presence of armed militias and the lack of hhost nation security support isan area for concer, There are numerous brigades/militias in Benghazi, some ftiendly towards America, and some vehemently anti-American. Additional information can be shared upon your arival. ‘There have been notable anti-westem incidents in Benghazi during the past thres months. There was a rocket attack on the Red Cross, « bomb attack on the US Mission, and an RPG attack on the UK Ambassador's Motorcade. Ramadan (August) was particularly violent month with kidnappings, bombings, and assassinations Paget? (05578762 Date: 10/20/2016 ‘STATE DEFT. REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COU REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER,‘STATE DEPT, - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, (005578762 Dato: 10/20/2015 commonplace. Please consult the Benghazi Incident Chart and map in the TOC for details on locations and types of attacks, ‘Security Support ‘As the RSO you are devoid of the traditional security support you would find at most diplomatic facilities, Your main point of security will likely remain the 17" February Martyrs Brigade (17 FMB), headed by ‘The 17 FMB is the largest militia and was supposedly instrumental in defending Benghazi and Eastern Libya during the revolution, Their headquarters is approximately two kilometers away from the mission and they have been quick to respand to prior security events atthe mission, “The Benghazi police have yet to exert control over the city. Occasionally they can be spotted conducting traffic, but expect litle inthe way of mission assistance. [have requested a matked unit outside the mission with 24/7 coverage from both MFA and Police Headquarters, and have attached the diplomatic note for your convenience, On August 26 at approximately 2000 hours ‘one marked unit and four police officers showed up at the mission. They said they would be at the mission 24/7, but were gone the following morning. Approximately three hours latr they returned. This is postive sign but Jam unsure ifit will Inst, and certainly bears close watch by the RSO. In the past, the security umbrella organization called the SSC detailed two “soldiers" tothe \n. When these soldiers stopped receiving pay they stopped showing up at the mission. ‘They bave not been seen in over four weeks, and it seems unltkely they will return, Local Securlty Points of Contact: _UN Missioa to Benghazi Regional head of Security Phone: Email (ata ane Has recently departed, the UK RSO equivalent in Tripoli ional Overseas Seeurity Manager Libya & Malta British Embassy Tripoli Ema: Celt 17" February Martyrs Brigade Commander ~ civilian ~ (40 field commands under his charge) He has been unresponsive in dealing with our QRF ~ is much easier to deal directly withthe QRF on the ground. (605878782 Date: 10/20/2015 STATE DEPT, - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER,STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, (608878762 Date: 10/20/2015 Phone:[ Chairman, Supreme Security Council (SSC) for Seourity in Benghazi newly appointed internal security chief for Benghazi (His scope and power seems limited) i seaeaaniaataaiaaatnaasaza 17 February Martyrs Brigade, Special VIP Unit Commander (check with to make sure this is still the ease) one Benghazi Chief of Police i Phone: Local Guard Force (LGF), Blue Mountain Group — Project Manas Phone Pt and] ‘We have uploaded the most up to date security contacts list on the shared drive, We have a handful of like-minded, predominantly Wester, security contacts living in Benghev7i that share information with us. ARSO, is in charge of this portfolio and can brief you upon arrival eon compound six days a week to oversee the LGF) Protection (PRS) and A\ RS is the smoothest running program because its the one-progratm that has remained consistent. As such, new agents can easily assimilats to it, Soe the PRS turnover binder for spovific details regarding the ARSO management of the program, We also have updated modical survey document in the shared drive, 17 February Martyrs Brigade, Special VIP Unit Currently, you have 3 local militia members from the 17 February Martyr's Brigade living in 8 house on the compound. (We are in the provess of “hiring” a fourth.) The “soldiers” all claim to have fought in the revolution, performing various infantry related tasks, Referred to as the “QRF”, they have enjoyed a close relationship with agents in the past and have benefitted from hours of recent PRS and smal-unit tactics training, Despite the many hours of traning, they arc nota professional unit and struggle with even basic tasks, such as loading their weapons. With Page 37 005578782 Date: 10/20/2015 STATE DEPT. - REPRODUGED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAVER,[STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZ! COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, (005878762 Date: 10/20/2015 the dwindiing number of agents in Benghazi though, we have relied on their support to perform agent-related tasks. They will often drive the foliow car and have occasionally condueted advances. For all airport moves, the QRF serve as alinison atthe airport and know the procedures well. We have allotted them one of our older White Toyota Land Cruisers for QRF Fesponse purposes. We have organized a regular training schedule for then, covering Small Unit Tactics, PRS moves and weapons handling. At one point a Memorandum of Agreement was created detailing the relationship with the 17 February Brigade and the US Mission, but it appears to have expired, We therefore crested work requirements forthe team as they have become somewhat complacent/iazy. Unfortunately, as they are not technically employed by us, we have no real control over them. Recently, we increased the QRF stipend to $35 per day, which is the only steady form of income they receive, It is expected that atthe end of Ramadan, all members of the Mission's QRF will take 10 days of unpaid, staggered leave to be designated by{__khe QRF team leader. During this expested absence,(—_ will bring on & paid temporary replacement for 40 days, Proper ‘vetting and training must be done of the candidates whom|__lputs forth. (ste POC fr atl ORF slated matters, He or can brie you regarding QRF concerns, Evie there are many, Local Guard Force: In February we solid guard conrus, awarding our contacto @ UK frm, Blue Mountain Group BM mt ery asthe project manager ad live ina eal Villa approximaialy 10 nutes fom the mission [Ja the POC forall LOF rclated maitre ‘You have 3 posts (Charlie 1, Chrle 3, Bravo 1); 3 stati, one supervisor, and 1 interior rover, isthe Local Guard Force Commander, There isa sheet on the wall bebind the RSO desk with the pictures and manes ofthe LGF Commander and the Supervisors. The guards axe frequently drilled on intruder, suspicious package, and bomb threats. They have been instructed to cal out “ATTACK for any groups/mots/attacks at our gates and “BOMB? for any suspicious packages. They have also been drilled to use the IDNS buttons initially, then follow upon the radios with basic warning 1. IDNS, 2. Type (‘attck" or "bomb”), 3. Location (Charlie Tr Chai 3, Bravo L——-————Tean condita dil waltvough wth ou ‘The BMG Manager is very active and will be at the mission most every day checking on the LGF. He understands that the RSO ultimately runs the guard program and is willing to make any changes you suggest, age tot? (205578762 Dato: 10/20/2015 STATE DEPT. . REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER,STATE DEPT, - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMI. [REVEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER. (©05578782 Date: 10/20/2018 Physical Security: Fence ‘The $38,000 fence project has recently been completed. I am unsure ofthe purpase ofthis fence. Safe Haven Gate/Day Cage ‘The “safe haven” in the villa is closed and locked every night and serves as he hold room inthe tof attack. Recently we have attempted to create a safe haven in the office villa as well,[_] can brief you on all physical security projects including the creation ofthe office safe aver Jersey Barriers and Drop Arms ‘We have jersey barriers at the Main Gate (C1), with drop arms, We also have additional jersey barriers et the other gates (C3 and B1). We park the white Toyota Land Cruisers on the interiors of C3 and BI as further barriers, Both are used regularly though by the LES drivers for running errands. The keys are in the visors of the respective vehicles, in case of an emergency. We have also recently erected chicanes on the main road. So far, neither host nation nor the neighbors have complained about this. We have wea truckleane operator (for 1 servis tthe cost of 150 LYD pr day to move ur pracy baners. Contacte ho range Sor the ivererane operator. Fightng/REACT postions ‘We recently removed many sandbag positions as the sandbags had disintegrated, We purchased now sandbags and constructed three new fighting positions. Eme ning Post Evacuation and REACT plans were drafted in January 2012 and updated in June of 2012. Please review the plan and make the necessary changes/edits to incorporate forthe number of DS personnel. We routinely conduet drills and held a post-wide drill last week. We have a Personnel Recovery plan for post; asking newly arriving personnel to fill out the ISOPREP form in the event ofan isolated person event, In addition to the ISPOREP form, all arriving agents should read the Use of Force Policy, sign the acknowledgement form, and load it into the SPE folder on the shared drive. ‘Ascess Control: ‘Access control has been recently reviewed and upfoaded into the share-drive, The administrative ‘assistance, Sana, submits access requests for the PO and IMO. We ask for 24 hour notice; however we have been accepting them on the same day as well. We make a copy to keep in the SO office and hand the other to the LGF. age ot7 605578762 Dale: 10/20/2015 STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED To HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, [REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAVER,[STATE DEPT, - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE NFORIMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, (605578762 Date: 10/20/2015 Vehiel Vehictes We have four FAV Toyotes Land Cruisers which are road-worthy outside gf Benghazi. In tuition, we have two FAV Mercedes SUVs which have experienced a variety of mechanical issues. Both vehicles are parked ouside the office vila and serve as barriers (Or the egress route ‘out the window. The lead vehicle works, although it does not have power steering. The later of the two FAV Mercedes SUVs, does not wark, has over $8,000 worth of mechanical demage and should probably be retumed 9 GSO Tripoli. Of additional not, these Mercedes-type vehicles ‘were only driven by high ranking Qoddafi loyalists in the past, and therefore draw unwanted sttenton when taken outside the compound. Drivers RSO manages the vehicle program and driver schedules. You are budgeted for two drivers although we recently fired one. The remaining driver] has been working since April 2012, has limited English proficiency, but is very knowledgeable in getting around the city and possesses good driving skills. He is also @ hard worker. He was sent to Tripoli for training with MSD on 10-14 June. We are in the final stages of hiring another driver, and with any luck, he will be on board by the time of your arrival. Budse ‘The IMOMMGT Officer currently disperses the monies allocated from DS, through Tripol Please see the spreadsheet tiled Physical Security Upgrades inthe binder and in soft copy ia the Physical Security older on the RSO shared drive. 1t should provide you with an sccouating for all tye money that may still exist after the completion ofeach project, In addition, Yhave tached a physical security upgrade “wish list” that you can consult ifdesired, Engineering Security Office: ‘You may sec the assistance of the ESO in Cairo to come out and perform BSO work. He is tentatively scheduled to arzive atthe mission September 16-20 list of projects for him, We recently received cameras and monitors, andthe installation ofthese is a priority ime permiting, we would also like him to repair the itemizer, reprogram the IDNS, as well os a variety of oer small projects. Page ot? 605578762 Dato: 10/20/2015 STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM [REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER.‘STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COW, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORWATION PURSUANT TO MOU, NO FOIA WAVER, 605878762 Date: 10/20/2015 ‘Miscollancous Iss ‘Due to the deteriorating security situation in Benghazi we try to only conduct mission essential ‘movements. The PO attempts to hold meetings on compound, vice attending meetings in town, Nonetheless, it i impossible to remain behind the walls the entire time and movernents outside the compound are Jet to your discretion “Meals are proved by a life services contract. Although the cooks try hard, the food borderline inedible, and has lef us sick and eating MREs on more than one occasion. Over the past week, the Annex chef has been teaching our cooks how to prepare food. There has been some improvement, but you should not expect to gain any weight while here, Celebratory fire isa nightly occurrence (small arms mixed with Dishkas). Typically there is an explosion every night although i is vstually impossible to determine ifit is a“'celebratory” bomb or an actual atack until the following morning, Fireworks are also common, and recently there has been a nightly show north ofthe mission around 2200 hours. page 7017 005578782 Date: 10/20/2015 [STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENOHAZI COMM, [REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU, NO FOIA WAIVER,‘STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, ‘C05389935-MOU ‘Sacurity Requests for US Mission Benghazi (08/22/2032 Physical Security There are four villas on the current compound: a ving-quarters vila an office vl, 3 QRE vila, and 3 cafeteria/dining area vila, The 13 acre compound is surrounded by 2 cinderblock wall topped with c- wire that was constructed in placemeal format when the orginal larger compound was petitioned into the current, smaller compound, There ae three gates, two on the northside and one on the south side. The main gate has a make-shit vehicle chute constructed out of T-walls and two stee! drop-arms. The service gate has no outer security measures, but does have a steel drop arm on the inside, The south gate Is not used and opens onto a busy cornmercial road with minimal outer security measures. The compound is aso hore toa large vineyard, an orchard, gardens, end many lrge trees. ‘© Purchase enough C-wire to lne the ground inside the entire fence perimeter, © Purchase two moveable tire kles, one for each end of the road which services the main gate and service gate, © Createa man trap forthe main gate and service gate (similar to what OBO constructed at the Sheraton hotel In Sana) ~ © monaire werartarneraetiemamrgate ~~ Extend the T-walls a the main gate to cover the entre north wall and service gate, thus creating more set-back between the road and the compound wall ‘© There san empty lt south ofthe office vila that although walled, borders 4° Ring Rd and has an unmanned, weak gate that would allow 2 vehicie to drive within 15 feet ofthe office vl, (RSO does not know i this lot is pat of the compound or owned by another enthy Suggest relnforeing this gate or removing it altogether), | + Theperimater walls made aut of how drder bees, which dos not afford much bast tection and tuned into shrapel when the mision wos attacked, ‘+ _Reinforce/repairthe veil gate. They area thin meta tht has peeled away from the fame in piace. + Request a vault tobe used as COMS fice and safehaven inthe office vil. neu ofthe vu 2 substantia safe haven would be requed a curently here is nose haven. | shatter estan window fl forthe las + It fevivaly impos to clear the compound grounds due tothe ine orchard and vineyard partulry st night Reducing the amount of vneytds, bushes, trees (partly those haralng over the fence) woud incease vty on the compound. ‘c0s8e9985 Date: 10:20/2015 ‘STATE DEPT. REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER,STATE DEPT, - REPRODUCED TO KOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER, Outside service gate Road to service gate and main gate 05380925 Date: 10/20/2018 STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELEGT BENGHAZ! COMM. REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER.‘STATE DEPT, - REPRODUCED To HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, BEVIEWED COR SENSITIVE INFORVATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAVER, oad bordering south wall (4” Ring Be) Road bordering west wall 005380025 Date: 10/20/2015 [STATE DEPT. REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. REVIEWED FOR SENSITVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER,‘STATE DEPT. - REPRODUCED To HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM, REVIEWED =OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FOIA WAIVER Equipment Requests ‘There ae frequent power outages on compound due to faulty engineering, poor materials, or ‘overloading the system's capacity. When the power fal, the generator supplies power to three ofthe vilos, but we lose all exterlor lights, power at the gates, and powertt the ORF villa, ASO is ‘ot qualified to determine what Is required to fix this sue, ‘Our IONS pondant systern snot compatible wth the IDKS panel n the TOC, therefore we do nat ‘know what pendant tripped the alarm, We have new IDNS pendants but will need anew panel, ‘Currently only two guards heve an IDNS pendant. Request a weapons safe/cabinet. Currently the long guns ae in a cabinet that we cannot lock and does not have racks, # Better BFT sofware + Disintegrator i post increases its footprint. “+ Belted, crow-served weapon (240 Bravo oF 249) with b-pod + CSgas canisters ‘+ Badging machine; currently we ae printing badges from Microsoft PowerPoint and laminating them, ‘© Computer program (WebPass) 12 make access requests, and computer at the guard house to lew the approved access requests ‘© Anadditionalitemizer © Currently, one agent sleeps in the bedroom next to the TOC in the office vila If this bedroom Is — epaverted iterar oee Tie YuIOre rr alarrsystem forthe wffice Vila Woult'be desirable. Manpower requests oquest an addtional quard rover a night. ‘Request two additional guards to man the tre killers Ite killers are approved ‘The use ofa brigade QREF is not desirable for many reasons. Request a minimum of four focal bodyguards trained by 0S to use on movements as wellas ORF duties. Request a minimum of four OS agents at post. : (€05389035 Dato: 10/20/2015 ‘STATE DEPT. REPRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COWRA, [REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO MOU. NO FO\A WAVER,