Iran Strike (Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense)
Tracking # |
20-F-0637 |
Multi Request | Iran Strike |
Submitted | Jan. 5, 2020 |
Due | Feb. 3, 2020 |
Est. Completion | Nov. 12, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Carlos Gamez
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. All intelligence cables that relate to the airstrike in Baghdad that killed Qasem Soleimani on 1/3/2019
2. All documents that contain information regarding the planning and execution of the airstrike in Baghdad on 1/3/2019
3. All communications between your agency and the White House regarding the airstrike on Baghdad
4. All intelligence records that contain the name Qasem Soleimani
5. All documents that relate to the “52 Iranian sites” that would be attacked (https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1213593975732527112)
6. All documents as they relate to the "imminent attack" by Iran as explained by various officials in the United States government
For all records the dates are from 10/5/2019 to present date.
Fee Waiver Request:
1. The subject of the requested records concerns the operations or activities of the government. This is since it has been widely reported through various news media organizations. Also, there has been official acknowledgement of said activities through the use of twitter by the President of the United States. Also, Mike Pompeo in his official position as the Secretary of State explained the subject of the requested records through an interview on CNN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10h5Z44ByKc).
2. The disclosure of the records is "likely to contribute" to an understanding of government operations or activities. This is since this information has recently become in public interest as seen through multiple news media organizations. Recently, there has been multiple interviews from different officials in the United States government. The records requested will either confirm or deny what was stated on the record regarding the airstrike in Baghdad and the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. By allowing for the fee waiver of these records, it will allow for the understanding of the process taken in order to understand the decision made by the United States government. This will be by allowing the public to receive information that is paramount to understand the statements made by United States officials. By obtaining these documents, it will allow the public to remove the blindfold and see with full light the process and techniques used that caused a airstrike to happen on Baghdad. Lastly, this information will allow the public to determine the veracity of statements made by officials in their postions. This is by having full light and scope in the information and allow said statements to be "tested and tried" with all information available to determine if such actions were done hastily and irresponsibly.
3. The release of the information at issue will "contribute to the understanding of a reasonably broad audience of persons interested in the subject." This information will be readily available on Muckrock.com which has been recognized as a news media organization through various means. This information will allow for the majority of the visitors to see and understand the information requested. Recently, there has been an interest in the information that could be shown in these documents. This is since it addresses the public’s need on a national scale. This is shown through the heightened security in various parts of the world and through the Department of State. Lastly, the records requested will be readily available for other news media organizations to use and disseminate across various means. All said and done, the records has the ability to be disseminated from the skyscrapers of New York to the forests in California.
4. These documents will provide significant understanding regarding the subject in question. This is since this is on the height of various breaking news reports regarding the subject matter. All the information obtained has been through interviews and official statements made by the United States government. These documents have the ability to confirm or deny all statements made by officials whether through direct or indirect means. Also, presently there are no documents available that allows for the public to “obtain full understanding” that otherwise is unavailable. This is since the documents will allow for the public to have information that is currently not available. Thus the the lack of these documents cause for the public to be blinded by the statements made without being able to full judge the veracity of such statements.
Expedited Processing:
I hereby request expedited processing for this request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. This is based on the compelling need of the urgency to inform the public of actual or alleged Federal Government activity.
1. The documents will be available on Muckrock.com. I am not a member of the news media nor am I a staff member at Muckrock.com. I have chosen Muckrock.com to be the venue in which these documents will be shown to the public. This website is primarily engaged in disseminating information. There has been multiple stories that have garnered attention thanks to the various requests made through Muckrock.com.
2. This request concerns a matter that is ongoing and current. This is since there has been multiple breaking news regarding the airstrike in Baghdad and the assassination of Qasem Soleimani. This has been showed through the various interviews through various news outlets (https://amp.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jan/03/iran-general-qassem-suleimani-killed-us-trump-drone-strike-baghdad-reaction-live-updates, https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UCIRYBXDze5krPDzAEOxFGVA&v=JQaUJLNMZtA, https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/live-updates/qassem-soleimani-top-iranian-military-commander-killed-in-us-airstrike-in-baghdad-2020-01-05/). This matter is also one of urgency to the American public. This is since there has been a heightened fear delivered to the American public that allegedly required this decision to be made. Also, it will allow the general public to understand whether such fear is necessary. This is since statements were made regarding the matter showing an “imminent attack” on U.S. soil. Thus, the records requested will either confirm or deny a alleged security risk in the United States and around the world. Also, there is a fear as due to the activity done by the United States there has been an uprising against the United States (https://nypost.com/2020/01/05/iran-lawmakers-chant-death-to-america-in-parliament-over-qassem-soleimani-killing/amp/).
3. The consequences of delaying a response would compromise a significant recognized interest. This is since there has been multiple reports regarding the subject matter through various news organizations. This request relates to the controversial decision to do an airstrike in Baghdad while denying doing so (https://amp.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jan/03/iran-general-qassem-suleimani-killed-us-trump-drone-strike-baghdad-reaction-live-updates). It also has been widely recognized as an interest as Mike Pompeo did an interview in order to explain to the American public the decision made. Lastly, there are multiple sources that have reported on the subject matter including CNN, CBS, USA Today and BBC News. Thus, the public would lose the ability to judge the decisions made by the United States government. Lastly, the media as a whole has a genuine interest in the subject matter as shown through the reports in different places across the United States.
4. This request clearly concerns federal government activity. This is since this federal government activity has been publicly acknowledged by the President of the United States and the Secretary of State.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Carlos Gamez
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Morning,
This is an interim response to your January 8, 2020 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, a copy of which is enclosed for your convenience.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Erica L. Beckett
Freedom of Information Division
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
Executive Services Directorate
(571) 372-0411
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Morning,
My name is Torrey Dixon with the OSD/JS FOIA Office. I write you in regards to your request for a follow-up/status update on you FOIA request, 20-F-0637. The updated ECD that was provided to us is 09/09/2021.
Furthermore, this case was re-assigned to me as the new Action Officer(AO). The previous AO was Mrs. Erica Beckett. For any further questions, please reach out to me.
V/R,
Torrey Dixon
FOIA Analyst
Freedom of Information Division
OSD / JS FOIA Office
571-372-0409
Comments: https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card <https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562> &sp=125562
FOIA requests for OSD/JS records may be sent by email
whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil <mailto:whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil>
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Morning,
The ECD for your FOIA request 20-F-0637 is 09/09/2021.
V/R,
Torrey Dixon
FOIA Analyst
Freedom of Information Division
OSD / JS FOIA Office
571-372-0409
Comments: https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card <https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562> &sp=125562
FOIA requests for OSD/JS records may be sent by email
whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil <mailto:whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil>
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~WRD000
From: Carlos Gamez
Good evening,
I am looking to see if there is an updated EDC for 20-F-0637. Based on the last email received, the estimated date of completion has already passed. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Carlos Gamez
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Sept. 9, 2021. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #20-F-0637.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Morning,
I write you to inform you that I did receive you two voicemails on my office phone. I wanted to apologize for not having your request back to you by the initial given ECD being September 9, 2021. However, the responsive documents to your request are not yet back from the component.
I have reached out to them this morning asking for another Status update/ecd on your FOIA request, 20-F-0637. I will be in touch with you with an update once I receive an update.
V/R,
Torrey Dixon
FOIA Analyst
Freedom of Information Division
OSD / JS FOIA Office
571-372-0409
Comments: <https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562> https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562
FOIA requests for OSD/JS records may be sent by email
<mailto:whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil> whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil
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image001
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Afternoon,
The component has reached back to me and provided a new ECD of November 12, 2021.
V/R,
Torrey Dixon
FOIA Analyst
Freedom of Information Division
OSD / JS FOIA Office
571-372-0409
Comments: https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card <https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562> &sp=125562
FOIA requests for OSD/JS records may be sent by email
whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil <mailto:whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil>
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~WRD221
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Nov. 12, 2021. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #20-F-0637.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 28, 2020. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Nov. 12, 2021. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #20-F-0637.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Carlos Gamez
Good morning,
This email is in response to the phone call that we had this morning regarding 20-F-0637. It will be greatly appreciated if an ECD can be provided. Thank you.
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Afternoon Mr. Gamez,
I write you to inform you that we have received your request for update. Your case has to be reviewed and sent to some other places for additional work. I cannot give you an exact time that this information will be sent back as of yet.
Furthermore, due to the circumstances with Covid, we are limited to time spent in the office. Your case requires office time. That being said, please allow us some time to work through your case as we are doing our best.
Thank you for reaching out. If any further questions, please reach out.
V/R,
Torrey Dixon
FOIA Analyst
Freedom of Information Division
OSD / JS FOIA Office
571-372-0409
Comments: https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card <https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562> &sp=125562
FOIA requests for OSD/JS records may be sent by email
whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil <mailto:whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.osd-js-foia-requester-service-center@mail.mil>
From: Carlos Gamez
Good afternoon,
I hope that this message finds you well. I am sending this message regarding FOIA request 20-F-0637 as I was previously provided an ECD of October 28, 2021. I am currently inquiring for the specific status of this request as it has been pending for over two years. I was previously informed that this FOIA request requires case time (which is definitely understandable due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Any information that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Carlos Gamez
From: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Good Morning Mr. Carlos,
I write you in regards to your request for status update (ECD) on your FOIA request, 20-F-0637. We are still working your request for a couple of reasons with one continuing to be limited time to the office as your case can only be worked in the office. Two, you case is very lengthy and has a lot of points to it in which I have also had to go back and forth with the component and my leadership in regards to a lot of your case.
However, please understand I am working to get your case done but it is also one of my many cases so I have to add equal focus to each case.
Thank you for reaching out to us with your concern and I hope this helps.
V/R
Torrey Dixon
Freedom of Information Division
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
(571) 372-0409
NIPR: <mailto:torrey.d.dixon.civ@mail.mil> torrey.d.dixon.civ@mail.mil
SIPR: <mailto:torrey.d.dixon.civ@mail.smil.mil> torrey.d.dixon.civ@mail.smil.mil
Comments: <https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562> https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562
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