narcotics". The request asked for an interpretation and evaluation of the photographs. Agent Brzozowski was identified as the contact for the request. -This was the first ATF written request for military support that mentioned a drug nexus. It is based upon the suspicion of a methamphetamine laboratory and the prior drug records of Branch Davidians. December 21, 1992 proved -Mr. Enney initialed/approved the December 18, 1992 National Guard support request. Late December 1992 or early January 1993 -Special Agent Buford met with LTC Walker in his Washington office and provided him with more detailed information about the suspected methamphetamine laboratory. January 4, 1993 -LTC Walker received a request for military support via facsimile January 5, 1993 -LTC Walker discussed the military support with ASAC Sarabyn. January 6, 1993 from RAC The first National Guard sortie is flown over the Branch Davidian compound and the Mag Bag sites by the Texas National Guard Counterdrug UC-26, which is a fixed wing dual engine prop aircraft. -Eugene Trevino, National Guard, coordinated scheduling/logistics for -Numerous aerial reconnaissance photographs were taken by the crew. Additionally, the mission included the use of the Thermal Imaging System (TIS) previously known as Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR). -During the above mission, the TIS identified a "hot spot" inside the Branch Davidian compound and three sentries outside and behind the compound. -Trevino offered unofficial interpretations to the austin agents indicating that the photos could be indicative of "a meth lab"; but LTC Petit and Lieutenant Justice maintained that only information about grid coordinates were officially provided to ATF. No official opinion was provided to ATF regarding the "hot spot". January 6, 1993 -LTC Walker prepared a letter with signature of Assistant Director Richard L. Garner, Chief, Special Operations Division, ATP Headquarters, addressed to Colonel Judith A. Browning, U.S. Aray, Director of Plans and Support at the Pentagon. -LTC Walker hand carried the letter to Commander Gary Harrell of Colonel Browning's staff. The letter requested the loan of office equipment in support of the Howell investigation. -It should be noted that the request routing was unusual, but, met military guidelines. Walker told the WRT that he has since learned that it is referable to initially coordinate with operation Alliance. January 14, 1993 -The second National Guard sortie was flown over the Branch Davidian compound and the Mag Bag sites by the Alabama National Guard RF4-C A. Numerous OBLIQUE aerial photographs, providing low angle shots of the compound were obtained. January 15, 1993 -Assistant Director Garner, Chief, Special Operations Division, received a letter from Colonel Judith A. Browning. In the letter, Colonel Browning acknowledged receipt of Mr. Garner's January 6, 1993 request for the loan of office equipment in support of an on-going ATF operation. She stated that she forwarded the request to the Regional Logistical support Office (RLSO), Operation Alliance, El Paso, Texas. The letter is turned over to ATF Special Agent Tate and LTC Walker. January 21, 1993 -With the concurrence of ASAC Chuck Sarabyn and Col. Browning, LTC Walker prepared a letter (with Col. Browning's concurrence) for signature of Assistant Director Garner, addressed to Major Victor Bucowsky, officer in Charge of the Regional Logistics support office (RLS0), Operation Alliance. -The memorandum requested seven Bradley Fighting Vehicles plus on-call maintenance support for a two week period to commence on February 8, 1993. An enclosure to the memorandum entitled, "WACO Case Military Support" requested additional field and office equipment/supplies. -Major Bucowski received the above mentioned letter from Assistant -That afternoon, Major Bucowsky brought the request to Agent Eddie S. Pali, January 22, 1993 -Agent Pali made the following telephone calls: 1. Assistant Director Garner- about his January 21, 1993 letter, which identified LTC Lon Walker as the point of contact for the request. Assistant Director Garner did not discuss the drug case during his conversation with Agent Pali and told him to contact LTC Walker for specific information about the request. 2. LTC Walker- learned that Walker had been working with ASAC sarabyn and that LTC Walker has visited the SAC/Houston office prior to submitting the request. Agent Pali and LTC Walker did not discuss the drug case. (LTC Walker recalled the telephone conversation with Agent Pali, but could not recall relevant specifics about their discussion; However, sometime prior to the departure of LTC Walker for Waco, Agent Pali and LTC Walker had a discussion about "hot spots" and Branch Davidian criminal record checks that suggested the existence of a methamphetamine laboratory.) 3. ASAC Sarabyn- learned that ATF Houston Division Operations Officer Phillip A. Lewis was the Logistics Coordinator for the equipment request in the Howell case. During the above telephone conversation with ASAC Sarabyn; Agent Pali asked ASAC Sarabyn for more detail on In the drug case. Agent Pali requested the information about the drug During the interview of Agent Pali by the WRT, ́he was asked if he believed the above details on the drug case provided by ASAC Sarabyn to be accurate, based upon the fact that the previous resident of the Branch Davidian compound, Roden, had been identified as being previously associated with the methamphetamine laboratory. Agent Pali admitted that ultimately, only "one" individual at the compound had a prior narcotics conviction, not several individuals. Additionally, Agent Pali mentioned that the chemicals being received at the compound could also be used as precursors for explosives. 4. Deputy Tactical Coordinator William Roshon, Senior Special Agent and Coordinator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Operation Alliance: Agent Roshon offered the assistance of DEA to ATF in the form of on-site laboratory technicians. Agent Pali placed Agent Roshon in touch with the ATF SAC/Houston office. (Agent Pali maintained that two DEA officials were present at the Command Post at the Texas State Technical Institute on the day of the raid. During his interview with the WRT, Agent Rochon verified that DEA Group Supervisor Lex Henderson and DEA Special Agent Delfino Sanchez of the DEA Austin office, were on site at the Texas State Technical Institute ATF Command Post on February 28, 1993. Two DEA agents from the Waco office, Jay Ubanks and Brad Watson, were on stand-by.) -It should be noted that Lex Henderson reported to WRT that DEA had independent information to corroborate ATP's suspicion regarding the meth. lab. 5. Agent Lewis- Arranged for a February 1 meeting at Operation Alliance. The purpose of the meeting was for Agent Lewis to brief LTC Jan Bertholf and other members of JTF-6, who could facilitate the request. -Finally, Agent Pali completed the standard Operation Alliance Support Request Form which included the following comment in the remarks section: "Possible meth lab w/ vpas..." February 2, 1993 -Agent Lewis provided a briefing about the Howell investigation to members of operation Alliance. Agent Pali suggested the use of Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) instead of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. It was determined that the LAV's could not withstand fire from a 50 caliber weapon, which was believed to be in the possession of the Branch Davidians. -Agent Lewis also provided an update about the suspected methamphetamine laboratory at the Branch Davidian compound, which is known to have received deliveries of chemical precursors for the manufacture of Bethamphetamine. (During his interview with the WRT, Operation Alliance Coordinator for DEA, Senior Special Agent William C. Rochon, advised that he offered the assistance of a DEA Clandestine Certified Laboratory Team. Agent Pali declined the request, however Agent Rochon provides Agent Lewis with the telephone number of RAC Arthur C. Wilson, DEA/Austin, Texas.) -Agent Rochon opined that precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, of which he understood was for use by the Branch Davidians and not for sale off their compound, can also be used in the manufacture of explosives. -Deputy Senior Tactical Coordinator for operations, U.S. Border Patrol Agent James E. Bowen, Operation Alliance, asked Agent Pali about the drug case in the Howell investigation. Agent Pali provided him with the background on the Branch Davidians at which time Bowen said he had no problem with the possibility that such a methamphetamine laboratory existed. Agent Bowen bases this on his experience with cult extremist groups that he has encountered in Southern California. -After the briefing of Agent Lewis to Operation Alliance personnel, Brigadier General John Pickler, Commander, JTF-6, stated that it is not the position of the military to question the veracity of a law enforcement request regarding a drug nexus. Agent Pali continued to work on the request with Agent Lewis for the next several days. Later on February 2, 1993 -Acting Deputy senior Tactical Coordinator for Operations, U.S. Border Patrol agent George A. Gunnos, operation Alliance, signed a letter drafted by ATF Coordinator Pali and addressed to the office of the Adjutant General, Texas National Guard, to request the assistance in the Howell investigation on behalf of ATP Headquarters. -The letter mentioned the impending execution of a federal search warrant by ATT at a location known to be occupied by "...a dangerous extremist organization believed to be producing methamphetamine". DoD Liaison officer to ATF Headquarters, LTC David Lon Walker, was identified as the point of contact for the request. -Also on February 2, 1993, Agent Gunnoe signed a second letter, identical to the above mentioned letter, which was addressed to the Commander of the Joint Task Force Six, requesting assistance in the Howell investigation on behalf of ATF Headquarters. February 3, 1993 -The Operation Alliance Support Request form, dated January 22, 1993, is approved and the time frame for the operation is estimated to occur within a two-week window to commence on February 22, 1993. -RAC Earl K. Dunagan, RAC/Austin, Texas signed a request, which was addressed to LTC William G.Pettit, Texas National Guard and Texas State Interagency Coordinator William R. Enney. The request was for an additional photographic sortie over the Branch Davidian compound and the Mag Bag. (LTC Pettit has informed the WRT that any interpretations of the aerial reconnaissance photographs provided by SRA Trevino are deemed "unofficial"). -The third National Guard sortie was flown over the Branch Davidian compound and the Mag Bag sites by the Texas National Guard Counterdrug UC26 aircraft. Numerous aerial reconnaissance photographs, which included infra-red video, were taken by the crew. February 4, 1993 The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) is currently investigating a case in Texas involving several dozen people in apparent violation of firearms and drug laws. As part of our investigation, we are establishing a forward command post for command and control. We would appreciate the loan of office equipment as part of the DOD support for counterdrug efforts. We will pick up the furniture and ensure proper accountability. We would appreciate your consideration of the enclosed support list. Our point of contact is LTC Lon Walker, fax Your support is at appreciated. Enclosure Sincerely yours, к не Richard L. Garner Chief, Special Operations Division |