they were prepped and ready to go within minutes, but the senior CIA officers responsible for the welfare of all Annex personnel were concerned they might be sending their security team into an ambush so they tried to obtain better intelligence and heavy weapons before dispatching the team,’ Ruppersberger added.” [The Hill, 9/5/14] Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger Noted That A Senior CIA Official Had Told The House Intelligence Committee That The Outcome Could Have Been Worse If The Security Team Acted Earlier. “‘The team said they were prepped and ready to go within minutes, but the senior CIA officers responsible for the welfare of all Annex personnel were concerned they might be sending their security team into an ambush so they tried to obtain better intelligence and heavy weapons before dispatching the team,’ Ruppersberger added. He noted that a high-ranking CIA official told the committee the outcome could have been much worse if the rescue team had tried to act sooner.” [The Hill, 9/5/14] THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT THE CIA CHIEF OF BASE IN BENGHAZI GAVE A STAND DOWN ORDER The Senate Intelligence Committee Found No Evidence That The Chief Of Base In Benghazi Intentionally Delayed Or Obstructed The Response To The Diplomatic Compound. “The Committee explored claims that there was a ‘stand down’ order given to the security team at the Annex. Although some members of the security team expressed frustration that they were unable to respond more quickly to the Mission compound, 12 the Committee found no evidence of intentional delay or obstruction by the Chief of Base or any other party.” [Review of the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11-12, 2012, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1/15/14] THE SECURITY TEAM AT THE CIA ANNEX WAITED TO BUILD SUPPORT FROM LOCAL MILITIAS BEFORE MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE DIPLOMATIC COMPOUND 9/11/12: 9:40-10:03 PM: Before Departing For The Compound, The Security Team At The CIA Annex Attempted To Secure Support From The 17th February Brigade And Other Allied Militias. “During the period between approximately 9:40 p.m. and 10:03 p.m. Benghazi time, the Chief of Base and security team members attempted to secure assistance and heavy weapons (such as .50 caliber truck- mounted machine guns) from the 17th February Brigade and other militias that had been assisting the United States.” [Review of the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11-12, 2012, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1/15/14] 9/11/12: 10:03 PM: The Security Team At The CIA Annex In Benghazi Responded To The Attack On The Compound 20-25 Minutes After First Receiving Notification. “Two armored vehicles were prepared so the security team could respond from the Annex. Approximately 20-25 minutes after the first call came into the Annex that the Temporary Mission Facility was under attack, a security team left the Annex for the Mission compound. In footage taken from the Annex's security cameras, the security team can be observed departing the CIA Annex at 10:03 p.m. Benghazi time.” [Review of the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11-12, 2012, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1/15/14] When The Security Team Arrived At The Compound, The 17th February Brigade Refused To Provide Covering Fire For The Team Although Members Of The Militia Assisted The Team In Its Assault. “Outside the compound, the security team asked 17th February Brigade members to ‘provide cover’ for them to advance to the gate of the Temporary Mission Facility with gun trucks. The 17th February Brigade members refused, saying they preferred to negotiate with the attackers instead. Eventually, the security team initiated their plan of assault on the Mission compound. Some members of the 17th February Brigade ‘jump[ed] into the vehicle’ and ‘a few 17 Feb members follow[ed] behind on foot to support the team,’ according to the informal CIA notes provided to the Committee.” [Review of the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11-12, 2012, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1/15/14]