Battle CENTCOM

This summarizes the results of our oversight review of the reinvestigation directed by the Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), into the circumstances surrounding combat action at Wanat village, Wygal District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan that occurred on July 13,2008, and resulted in significant casualties to U.S. forces. The USCENTCOM appointing order, in part, directed that the investigating officer determine whether actions by commanders and staffs at the Battalion, Brigade, and Division levels relating to the initial occupation of Wanat and the establishment of a combat outpost constituted dereliction of duty. We focused our review on the adequacy of the reinvestigation, particularly with respect to its findings concerning senior officers at Division level. In that regard, we examined: The inherent responsibilities for Platoon-level tactical matters at Division level; Whether Division staff were sufficiently aggressive in monitoring the establishment of the combat outpost at Wanat; and Whether guidance at Division level of combat outpost establishment was sufficient. We conclude that the USCENTCOM reinvestigation, completed on January 12, 2010, sufficiently established the facts regarding the combat action at Wanat and reasonably assigned accountability by identifying those individuals whose acts or omissions could be characterized as dereliction in the performance of duties. Not with standing the extraordinary courage, tenacity, and skill demonstrated by the Company Commander and all those who helped fight off the enemy attack at Wanat, we agree that the Company Commander, through neglect, was derelict in the performance of his duty to conduct detailed planning for his company's role in the establishment of the combat outpost at Wanat and in his duty to provide guidance, support, and supervision to his subordinates during the establishment of the combat outpost at Wanat.