Index

30 AUG 1996

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

SUBJECT: Report of General (Ret,) Wayne A, Downing

Under separate cover, I am forwarding for your review and appropriate action a copy of the report submitted by General Downing regarding the bombing of Khobar Towers and the adequacy of security arrangements in the U.S., Central Command Area of Responsibility, I have not evaluated this report nor formed any conclusions based upon its findings and recommendations, In particular, I ask that you consider and, as you deem appropriate, take action concerning issues raised in the report regarding how the Air Force organizes, trains and equips to support forces deployed to a unified command. I have made no determination as to any individual actions or omissions, subjects on which I defer to your judgment and disposition.

Please advise me as appropriate of the results of your review, If during the course of your review, you identify matters that I should consider or refer to another component or element of the Department, please so advise me.

Your assistance and cooperation in this important matter are greatly appreciated.

signed

William J. Perry

U12795 /96

SEP 4 1996

MEMORANDUM FOR 12 AF/CC

SUBJECT: Report of Gen (Ret.)Wayne A. Downing - Khobar Towers Bombing

We are forwarding for your review a copy of the report submitted by General Wayne A. Downing (USA, Ret.) regarding the bombing of Khobar Towers and the adequacy of security arrangements in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. We have not evaluated this report nor formed any conclusions based upon its findings and recommendations. We also enclose for your consideration a staff report on this matter issued by the House National Security Committee entitled 'The Khobar Towers Bombing Incident," dated 14 August 1996.

You are directed to consider and to make recommendations on issues raised in General (Ret.) Downing's report regarding how the Air Force organizes, trains and equips to support forces deployed to U. S. Central Command. Your focus should be on matters of force protection. You are authorized to interview witnesses, obtain documents, conduct site visits, and take whatever additional steps you deem necessary to review fully the issues raised. This is a critical task. You are to identify the Air Force resources you require in support of it, and they will promptly be made available to you.

If during the course of your,review you identify matters of concern relating to another service ,or the unified command, please advise us so that we may refer those matters to the Secretary of Defense.

Additionally, as the Commander, Twelfth Air Force, you are hereby designated as the disciplinary review authority and General court-martial Convening Authority regarding any actions or omissions by Air Force personnel, associated with the bombing of Khobar Towers at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on 25 June 1996. The Commander, Air Combat Command, remains the appeal authority for any disciplinary action initiated by the Commander, Twelfth Air Force. Air Force personnel will be assigned or attached to Twelfth Air Force for these purposes as necessary.

Appropriate disposition regarding any individual, whether consisting of no action, administrative action, nonjudicial punishment, court-martial or otherwise, is entirely within your discretion as Commander, Twelfth Air Force, under applicable directives. No inferences whatsoever should be drawn from this transfer of disciplinary authority or attachments of personnel to your command.

Please submit a written report of your findings and recommendations within 90 days.

signed

Sheila E. Widnall
Secretary of the Air Force

signed

Ronald R. Fogleman
General, USAF
Chief of Staff

cc:

COMACC