Leadership missing in Benghazi attack

Leadership missing in Benghazi attack

Why no Broken Arrow? It’s a military term used to call on all available armed forces when Americans are surrounded and in imminent danger of being overrun and wiped out. On the 11th anniversary of 9/11 the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya came under a prolonged, intense and organized attack by an enemy intent on the murder of our Ambassador and everyone with him.

This attack went on for over seven hours. If there ever was a situation where our American foreign service officers and staff needed immediate and decisive action to protect their lives in Benghazi, this was that situation. The Americans in the Benghazi consulate, being protected by several brave SEALS, was being overwhelmed and overrun.

They repeatedly called for help, none came. Knowing they would expose themselves to enemy fire the SEALS painted the enemy positions with lasers in hopes of airborne support, none came. At this point there should have been no vacillation, no hand-wringing, no hesitation. This was a Broken Arrow. Every military asset should have been brought to bear to help our countrymen in Benghazi, none were forthcoming.

My question is why? Where was our leadership? What were our leaders doing at that moment when we needed them most? How can they dismiss this slaughter of brave Americans?

Mike Simon

Glen Ellyn