The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Report on Niger disaster finds numerous failures
But no one will face signifificant discipline in fallout.
The U.S. mil it arysu ff ff ff ff ff f fe red from widespread problems leading up to the deadly Oct. 4 ambush in Niger, but “no single failure or defificiency was the sole reason” for the deaths of a GreenBeret from Georgia and three otherU.S. troops during the intense fifi refi fifi fifi fight, according to a report the Pentagon released Thursday.
Because ofpersonnel turnover, not all the U.S. troops who were caught in the ambush trained together before they deployed to Niger, the report says. And before they set outwithNigerien troops on their ill-fated mission to capture amilitant leader linked to the Islamic State, they did not conduct “pre-mission rehearsals or battle drills” with them.
Further, commanders did not accurately characterize the mission, and the initial planwas notapprovedbythe proper command level, according to the report, which also highlights a “contradictory and ambiguous” process for tracking military operations.
“This investigation identifies individual, organizational, and institutional failure sand de fifi ci en ci es that contributed to the tragic events of 4 October 2017,” says the eight- page report, which is actually a summary of a 6,000-page classifified document. “Although the report details the compounding impact of tactical and operational decisions, no single failure or defificiency was the sole reason for the events of 4 October 2017.”
The summary does not assign direct blame or identify anyone who has been disciplined. Instead, it says “disciplinary action, if warranted, will be addressed” at a later date.
Staffff Sgt. DustinWright of Lyonswasamong thosewho were killed. His father, Ardie, saidthe troopswere not adequately armed or supplied. Senior military leaders, he said, should be disciplined.
“The higher brass is getting a pass,” saidWright, who received an advance briefifing about the investigation’ s fifi ndings last month at Fort Stewart .“They are playing politics .”
MarineCorpsGen. Thomas Waldhauser, t he commander of U.S. Africa Command, took responsibility for what happened while briefing reporters at the Pentagon.
“I take ownership for all the events connected to the ambush of 4 October,” he said. “Again, the responsibility is mine.”
Since the ambush, Waldhauser said, the military has carried out a comprehensive reviewof its procedures and boosted fifirepower for U.S. troops in Africa.
Themilitary’s fifindings are basedondocuments, photographs, video andinterviews with 143 witnesses, including survivors of the attack, one of whom accompanied investigators to the scene to explain what happened.
The report paints a harrowing picture of the deadly gunbattle, which started just before noon south of the villageofTongoTongo. The U.S. and Nigerien troops got out of their vehicles and returned fifi re before the enemy fifi fi fifi fighters alignedwiththe Islamic State began to envelopthem. Realizing they were signifificantly out numbered by well-trained fifi fi fifi fighters, the U.S. and Nigerien troops started to withdraw. StaffffSgt. BryanBlackwashit with small arms fifi re and killed instantly. Despite increasing fifire, Wright stoppedhis vehicle, dismounted and joined Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson in attempting to give Black cover and assess his wounds. Then Johnson was shot and severely wounded. Wrightwent to Johnson’s side and continued to fifight until both were shot and killed by small arms fifire.
Meanwhile, Sgt. LaDavid Johnson and two Nigerien soldiers came under heavyenemyfifire, preventing them from returning to their vehicle. They ran as enemy fifighters rapidly closed in on them. Both Nigerien troops were shot and killed. Johnson sought cover under a thorny tree and returned fifi re. The enemy fifired back with a vehicle-mountedmachine gun. Ultimately, Johnsonwas killed by small arms fifire.
Nigerien and French forces responded immediately after they were called in for help, according to the report. Departing 8 minutes after theywere alerted, Nigerien ground forces arrived in Tongo Tongo about four hours and 25 minutes later. The distance to the battleground, a lack of roads and rough terrain were all factors in the time of response. French Mirage jets arrived about 47 minutes after they were contacted for help. They were armed but did not fifire because they did not know precisely where the U.S. troopswere and had no communications with them. Instead, they fl flew at a low altitude, causing the enemy to retreat for cover. Five hours after the ambushbegan, two French helicopters arrived and evacuated the surviving soldiers.
The report also says U.S. troops never crossed into Mali to pursue terrorists as some news media have reported and that the troops were never captured alive. Also, according to the report, all four U.S. soldiers died from their wounds immediately or rapidly before the French and Nigerien rescue rs arrived in Tongo Tongo. In all, four Nigerien troops were killed during the gunbattle.
Additionally, Wright and the other U.S. troops fought courageously, thereportsays. They are now being considered for commendations.
“There will be awards for valor in this case,” Waldhauser said.
Ardie Wrightwas gratifified to learn of his son’s heroism.
“I’d rather have my son back ,” he said in a voice edged with emotion, “than a dead hero.”