Afghanistan

Floor Speech

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Mr. HAWLEY. Madam President, following my submission yesterday, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the next part of an investigation directed by the U.S. Central Command concerning the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Forces Conducting NEO at Hamid Karzai International Airport on 26 August 2021

(i) Throughout the NEO, USFOR-A FWD spent a significant amount of time coordinating special evacuation requests on behalf of the interagency, congressional representatives and senators, and the White House (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22). The USFOR-A FWD staff estimated they received over 4000 such requests during the nine days ECPs were operating (exhibits 13, 20, 21, 22). (TEXT REDACTED) USFOR-A FWD Deputy Commanding General, referred to these evacuees as privileged personnel exhibit 21). USFOR-A FWD's (TEXT REDACTED) and Embassy (TEXT REDACTED) worked with subordinate staffs to action many of these requests. They would coordinate with the potential evacuees for challenge and password or other identification, visit gates, seek out the evacuees, physically pull them from the crowd, and get them processed through DoS and the Evacuation Control Center (ECC} (exhibits 17, 20, 22, 100, 108, 122).

(ii) (TEXT REDACTED) along with members of the JTF-CR staff, were primarily responsible for coordinating multi- national activities and requests through the Multi-National Coordination Cell (MNCC) (exhibits 15, 18, 20, 21, 22). The MNCC met daily, along with other Ambassador groups, to coordinate air and lift requirements for partner nations, and Afghans sponsored by those nations to depart (exhibits 20, 21, 22). Many of the other nations working out of HKIA and conducting NEO were completely dependent on the U.S. for airlift (exhibit 21). USFOR-A FWD, with JTF-CR, formed the International Coordination Cell (ICC), which was a broader forum for handling the extensive privileged persons' requests from partner nations (exhibit 21). (TEXT REDACTED) USSFOR-A FWD Chief of Staff, and Commander. 3/10 IBCT, was responsible for working these issues (exhibits 21, 126). The ICC also provided a forum to synchronize bulk movement and arrival of passport holders or cleared individuals from all nations through South Gate (exhibit 126). This included building and allocating movement tables and coordinating with Taliban commanders for passage of vehicles (exhibit 126). (TEXT REDACTED) coordinated with 1/82 IBCTs (TEXT REDACTED) to request TF Wild Boar support for receiving these coordinated arrivals at the various gates (exhibit 247). TF Polar Bear was a force on the ground at HKIA scheduled to conduct relief in place/transfer of authority (RIP/TOA) with TF Wild Boar. The RIP was delayed based on conditions, to retain both forces for the approaching NEO (exhibit 126). After 17 August, both forces were at HKIA and made TACON to 1/82 IBCT during the NEO (exhibits 128,247). TF Polar Bear operated as the HKIA quick reaction force (QRF) and had liaison officers (LNO) in the JTF-CR Joint Operations Center (JOC) (exhibit 247). TF Wild Boar also served as a QRF, but executed targeted recovery missions with the MNCC and ICC when operations permitted (exhibits 10, 126, 247).

(iii) USFOR-A FWD was responsible for coordination with adjacent military, paramilitary, and former adversary forces (exhibits 13, 20, 21, 22, 23). On 16 August, RADM Vasely coordinated with other governmental agencies (OGA) for NSU assistance with airfield security. NSU took over large swaths of the perimeter on the South, West, and North of HKIA (exhibits 13, 15, 181,20, 21, 22, 23). Shortly after, RADM Vasely began coordinating with (TEXT REDACTED) the regional Taliban Commander and Taliban-designated LNO, for Taliban assistance with clearing the airfield and providing security along the southern perimeter of HKIA (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23). Finally, RADM Vasely and his staff coordinated with the Turkish Military to relieve them of security and airfield operations responsibilities (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 21).

(iv) USFOR-A FWD, and subordinate units, continued to coordinate with the Taliban throughout the NEO, however, only USFOR-A FWD and MG Donahue had authority to release threat reporting to the Taliban (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23). Prior to the Abbey Gate attack, on 25-26 August, USFOR-A FWD was continuously updating the Taliban with information necessary to improve their security posture and provide effective screening for exposed forces at the gates (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23). USFOR-A FWD and MG Donahue frequently provided updates in person to the Taliban at the South Terminal and by phone (exhibits 13, 21, 23, 125).

(3) Task Force--Medical (TF MED).

(a) TF MED was initially located at Bagram Air Base and served as the most capable US Role Ill medical facility in Afghanistan (exhibits 14, 131). On approximately 15 June, the facility at Bagram closed and TF MED moved to North HKIA to continue to provide medical support to remaining U.S. Forces, but with a reduced capability {exhibits 14, 128, 131). TF MED co-located with Norwegian medical personnel at the HKIA Role II military treatment facility (exhibit 14, 128, 131). (TEXT REDACTED) USAF, commanded TF MED during the period of the move to HKIA and throughout the NEO (exhibits 14, 131). The facility at HKIA was a Role II Enhanced (Role 11-E), with lab, pharmacy, two operating rooms (ORs), and computed tomography (en scan capability (exhibits 14, 128, 131).

(b) During the NEO, the capabilities of this facility swelled, eventually supported by nine surgical teams arriving 20-23 August (exhibits 131). These teams came from various locations and nations: one Norwegian Special Operations Surgical Team (SOST), two U.S. SOSTs, two U.S. Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachments (FRSD), surgical teams organic to TF MED, one U.K. Military surgical team, and those organic to the 82nd, which operated from the Role II at Camp Alvarado (exhibits 14, 128, 131, 149). In addition to surgical teams, TF MED also had an Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team (AELT), responsible for medical airlift from HKIA rearward. Io synchronize efforts, (TEXT REDACTED) conducted daily huddles with the various contingents to discuss threat reporting, posturing medical assets and supplies, and patient flow (exhibits 131, 149). TF MED created and exercised a mass casualty (MASCAL) plan for medical response in June 2021, which included Norwegian capabiltties and participation (exhibits 14, 131). During the NEO, (TEXT REDACTED) made the decision to consolidate higher- level medical care at the Role II-E an not push any assets to the gates (exhibit 131). The units at the gates had medics/ corpsmen and the Role I capability had already pushed forward (exhibits 66, 100, 104).

(c) On 25-26 August, Role II-E personnel were aware of increased credible reporting for a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) or suicide vest IED (SVIED) at a gate (exhibits 14, 131). The USFOR-A FWD (TEXT REDACTED) contacted approximately 26 August and warned him a MASCAL event was imminent exhibit 131). (TEXT REDACTED) placed medics and surgical teams on stand-by until 1700, and then released them on immediate recall (exhibit 14, 131). At the time of the blast (TEXT REDACTED) was in the Joint Operations Center (JOC) and a Role I facility reported significant numbers of casualties, which triggered the MASCAL response (exhibit 131). (TEXT REDACTED) Trauma Team Leader, was in the emergency room (ER) and did not hear the blast, but was notified within minutes to prepare for a MASCAL (exhibit 128). TF MED received its first patient within 12 minutes and treated patients for the next 10-12 hours (exhibits 14, 128 131, 149). The most seriously wounded patients arrived first, a result of proper triage at the Role I facilities and casualty collection points (CCPs) (exhibits 14, 128, 131 14Q). The Role II-E expanded its operating room to accommodate four patients at a time and used hallway space to provide additional required care (exhibits 128, 131, 149). Patients with less severe injuries, not requiring immediate care, were staged outsde or in ambulances with medics to stabilize injuries (exhibits 14, 128, 131, 149). Of the 13 killed in action (KIA), every medical professional interviewed concluded that no amount of additional measures, equipment, or treatment could have saved their lives (exhibits 14, 128, 131, 149). By approximately 0700 on 27 August, the Role II-E was empty of patients, with three flights taking personnel to Qatar or Germany, to include 19 U.S. causalities (exhibit 14, 131, 236). The Role II-E had a small morgue, capable of handling only eight deceased (exhibits 68, 131). Because the MASCAL overwhelmed the hospital morgue capacity, the KIA were moved to a pre- coordinated refrigerated shipping container for preparation and movement back to continental U.S. (CONUS) (exhibit 68, 131).

(4) JTF-CR.

(a) JTF-CR is a command and control organization derived from a joint manning document, manned by TF 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) personnel, stationed in Bahrain, and augmented with personnel from the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) (exhibits 15, 17, 18). TF 51/5th MEB began initial planning in April for the potential NEO, convened two operational planning teams, coordinated with USFOR-A, CENTCOM, and MARCENT, and attended operations and intelligence updates with USFOR-A FWD (exhibits 15, 17, 18). JTF-CR activated in May and was TACON to USFOR-A FWD for NEO planning (exhibits 15, 17, 18). In May and June, JTF-CR conducted a pre-deployment site survey (POSS) to Afghanistan to assess possible evacuation sites and coordinate with stakeholders, specifically USEK (exhibits 15, 17, 18). Initial planning accounted for two aerial ports of embarkation (APOEs), HKIA and Bagram Air Base. In early June, Bagram transitioned to ANDSF control and was no longer considered for planning (exhibits 15, 17, 18). JTF-CR deployed three LNOs forward in May, along with a small three person quartering party to HKIA in late May to set conditions for a possible NEO (exhibit 15, 18).

(b) JTF-CR deployed to HKIA on 19 July, starting with the Early Entry Assistance Team (EEAT), followed by the JTF-CR staff as a robust quartering party (exhibit 15}. The staff continued to coordinate with USEK while in Afghanistan, in an attempt to plan the NEO, but to little effect (exhibit 18). With the fall of Afghanistan districts to the Taliban throughout July and August, the JTF-CR continuously took steps to prepare HKIA for NEO, such as building supply stocks on HKIA to handle evacuees' basic needs (exhibit 18). During early August, DoS began processing Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and sending out evacuees by commercial air. They evacuated approximately 750 before the NEO was called on 13 August (exhibits 18, 8, 24).

(c) During execution of the NEO, JTF-CR had initial responsibility for securing HKIA and processing evacuees designated eligible by DoS (exhibits 15, 17, 18). In the early morning hours of 14 August, 24th MEU arrived with nearly 200 personnel that included some of the headquarters staff, snipers, ECC personnel, and a single rifle company (exhibits 15, 100, 102, 104). At this time, elements of TF Polar Bear and TF Wild Boar, who were subordinate elements of 3/10 IBCT providing security for USEK and HKIA, arrived to HKIA (exhibits 15, 126, 247). 24th MEU later closed additional capability during 14 August, with a similar mix of personnel as the first lift (exhibits 15, 100, 102, 104). The Turkish Military was providing security on North HKIA, with approximately 400 troops, and the ANDSF were securing the southern perimeter of HKIA, specifically the routes into the commercial terminals (exhibit 15). Approximately a battalion of U.K. Forces was also facilitating their own evacuation operations out of the airport (exhibits 15, 18, 126). U.S. Air Force C-17s were slow to arrive throughout 14-15 August (exhibit 15). By the end of 14 August, there were approximately 1600 U.S. and coalition forces at HKIA (exhibits 13, 15, 18).

(i) On 15 August, Afghanistan's President Ghani departed Kabul in a helicopter, abandoning the capital and the government. Soon after, ANDSF leaders also fled (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23). This precipitated the dissolution of the ANDSF, leaving the southern perimeter of the airport unsecured. Simultaneously, USEK was evacuating personnel to HKIA (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23). Ghani's departure and the Embassy evacuation created a panic in the Kabul population, and civilians began to rush the airfield in an attempt to board departing or stationary aircraft (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23). On three separate occasions, on 15 August and into the hours of darkness of 16 August, large crowds pushed across the HKIA flight line and near the North HKIA footprint, forcing JTF-CR to empty their operations center of personnel to push back the crowds (exhibits 15, 18). The presence of large crowds of civilians on the runways halted air operations continuously throughout 16 August.

(ii) Three solutions to the airfield security problem manifested during the next 24-48 hours. 1/82 IBCT forces arrived on C-17s during the hours of darkness on 15-16 August, and JTF-CR immediately tasked them with airfield security (exhibit 15). On 16 August, an OGA offered to bring the NSU's approximately 1200-1300 personnel to provide security at HKIA (on the condition of evacuating NSU families) (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 21, 23). Later on 16 August, the Taliban offered to help remove civilians from the airfield. RADM Vasely accepted the Taliban's offer, and Taliban forces began clearing and securing the airfield (exhibits 15, 18, 21, 23). The addition of these three forces was sufficient to clear the runway and resume flight operations (exhibits 15, 18).

(iii) Once the perimeter was reestablished on 16 and 17 August, the Taliban took the South, the NSU took the North and West, and 1/82nd took the West and overall security responsibilities (exhibits 15, 18, 53, 103). JTF-CR continued to manage the flow of combat forces into HKIA and into the line to hold the tenuous status quo (exhibits 15, 18, 53, 103). Force flow over the next two days delivered the remainder of the 1/82 IBCT, all of the 24th MEU Command Element, the remainder of 1/8 Marines, the MEU Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB), 2/1 Marines with enablers from the CENTCOM SPMAGTF, and the TAC of the 82nd Airborne Division (exhibits 15, 18, 53, 100, 102, 104, 121, 125). JTF-CR had TACON of all forces providing security of HKIA until 17 August, when Gen McKenzie, CENTCOM Commander, tasked the 82nd Airborne Division with security of HKIA (exhibits 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 238). The JTF-CR retained sole responsibility of NEO tasks and duties (exhibits 10, 11, 15, 18, 138, 238).

(d) During the execution of NEO, the JTF-CR managed three critical tasks at the JTF level or through its subordinate units: Gate Operations, ECC, and the Multi-National Coordination Cell (exhibits 15, 17, 18).

(i) After being relieved of airfield security duties, 1/8 Marines (24th MEU) occupied North and East Gates, and 2/1 Marines (SPMAGTF) occupied Abbey Gate (exhibits 53, 103). From 19-26 August, these gates were used to process and screen tens of thousands of civilian evacuees (exhibits 15, 18). Commanders at each gate exercised their authority to open or close their respective gates, as they deemed appropriate, according to the situation on the ground (exhibits 15, 53, 103). The JTF-CR Commander retained the authority to reopen a gate if the gate commander had closed it due to the threat environment or possible attack (exhibits 15, 18, 103). However, there was tremendous pressure from the strategic level (Combatant Command (CCMD), Joint Staff (JS), White House) to continue to process and evacuate civilians to the maximum extent possible, so gate closures were done rarely, locally, and temporarily (exhibits 15, 18, 53, 56, 77, 103, 121). For example, Abbey Gate did not physically close until the night of 26 August (exhibit 53). JTF-CR's management of gate operations also entailed reacting to the overwhelming number of special requests to secure specific evacuees from gates (exhibits 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22). Members of the USFOR-A FWD, JTF-CR, MEU, 1/8, and 2/1 staffs were constantly engaged in retrieving specially requested individuals from the gates, with the lower echelons doing so on behalf of JTF-CR (exhibits 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 76, 108, 122).

(ii) The JTF-CR Commander was responsible for deciding when to close Abbey Gate to facilitate the Joint Tactical Exfiltration (JTE) (exhibits 13, 15, 17, 18, 22). Initially, the JTF-CR sought to close the gate on the evening of 25 August (exhibits 18, 53, 77, 89, 126). However, U.K. Forces were still operating at the Barron Hotel and could not meet this timeline (exhibits 15, 18, 53, 77, 89, 126.). If the JTF-CR Commander decided to close Abbey Gate while U.K. Forces were still processing evacuees, it would have isolated them at the Barron Hotel. This would have affected the JTE, as the JTF-CR Commander estimated it would take 24-48 hours to clear the outer corridor and facilitate U.K. Forces' passage of lines into HKIA (exhibits 15, 18). Additionally, if the JTF-CR closed Abbey Gate early, the crowds likely would have breached the airfield, which posed a significant risk to mission and risk to force (exhibits 15, 18).

(iii) The 24th MEU established the ECC at the passenger (PAX) Terminal in North HKIA (exhibits 15, 18, 100, 101, 102). Evacuees waiting for flights consistently saturated this area, creating a security concern (exhibits 100, 101). As a result, JTF-CR tasked subordinate units to provide security forces at the PAX Terminal to ensure evacuees did not attempt to board the wrong flights or move into the compounds on North HKIA (exhibits 15, 18, 101).

(iv) As the lead for NEO, JTF-CR hosted the MNCC (exhibits 18, 21, 145). At the MNCC, JTF-CR coordinated the requirements of the multi-national partners to evacuate personnel (exhibits 18, 21). This usually included manifesting flights and coordinating appropriate arrival destinations based on the status of evacuees (exhibits 18, 21).

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