Commander: Security ‘Weak’ Before Attack on Benghazi Consulate

Consulate Never Had Enough Security, Wood Insists

Speaking before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Lt. Col. Andrew Wood said that security at the Benghazi Consulate was weak and that there had never been enough troops to protect the diplomatic site.

“The RSO (regional security officer) struggled to obtain additional personnel there (in Benghazi), but was never able to attain the numbers he felt comfortable with,” Wood added.

Wood’s comments add to a growing chorus of criticism about the State Department’s handling of the situation both in the lead-up to the September 11 attack on the consulate, and in the weeks following the strike.

The State Dept. has rejected the criticism of their security system, insisting that it “appeared to work as planned” until the Consulate was attack and burned and the Ambassador killed.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.