Gary Berntsen
Encyclopedia
Gary Berntsen is a decorated former Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) career officer who served in the Directorate of Operations
between October 1982 and June 2005. During his time at the CIA, he served as a CIA Station Chief on three separate occasions and led several of CIA’s most important counterterrorism deployments including the United States’ response to the East Africa Embassy bombings and the 9/11 attacks. He was awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal
in 2000 and the Intelligence Star
in 2004.
He ran for the US Senate in 2010 for Chuck Schumer's seat, but lost the Republican primary to Jay Townsend, who in turn lost the general election.
, a suburb of New York City
. When Berntsen was seventeen, he tried to join the United States Army
but his parents would not sign the enlistment contract. He waited until his eighteenth birthday when he decided to enlist in the Air Force
. Berntsen served for four years as a Crash Firefighter in the Air Force, including tours in Alaska
and Korea
. During his time in the United States Air Force
he became obsessed with educating himself, which he did by reading biographies and enrolling in the Air Force's self-study program, acing several courses. Berntsen also spent much of his time in the gym or skydiving. After Berntsen's time as a firefighter he became a full-time college student where he majored in Political Science and minored in Russian Studies. He attended the U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leader Class for two summers. However, before he was commissioned in the Marine Corps, he was recruited into the CIA.
. The subsequent investigation led to the capture of some 21 individuals involved with the planning and execution of the attacks.
Berntsen went to Afghanistan in March 2000 as a part of a CIA team that planned on capturing a senior Al Qaeda leader. Berntsen writes that though leaders at the CIA, particularly Cofer Black
and Hank Crumpton "had shown a willingness to plan and execute risky missions," top US government leadership including President Bill Clinton
and CIA Director George Tenet
were unprepared to take the increased risks. It is recognized that the environment for covert CIA operations in areas of Central Asia significantly shifted after the September 11 attacks in 2001 on New York City and Washington, D.C. The legitimacy for conducting such operations received widespread recognition and the actions carried out by CIA personnel after the attacks allowed for greater efficacy in targeting Al Qaeda personnel planning and conducting operations against US interests. Furthermore, Berntsen's mission was also undermined by a CIA station chief in a neighboring country, dubbed Lawrence, who contacted CIA Headquarters calling for the mission to be called off. The mission was never executed and the CIA's indecision would lead the Northern Alliance's leader Ahmad Shah Massoud to conclude that the US was "not serious" about fighting the Taliban.
In December 2001, Berntsen served as the Commander of all CIA forces in Eastern Afghanistan and led the agency’s Jawbreaker team in Tora Bora
. With a new President and the United States rattled by 9/11, Berntsen returned to Afghanistan with significantly different instructions. On September 19, 2001, Cofer Black
, head of the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center
told Berntsen, "You have one mission. Go find the al-Qaeda and kill them. We’re going to eliminate them. Get bin Laden, find him. I want his head in a box.… I want to take it down and show the president."
In his 2005 book, Jawbreaker
, he alleges that Osama bin Laden
could have been captured at Tora Bora if the US military (specifically United States Central Command
) had devoted more resources to the operation. This claim gained substantial traction due to a Senate Report on the circumstances of bin Laden's escape. According to both Berntsen's account and the Senate Committee's report, "Bin Laden and bodyguards walked unmolested out of Tora Bora and disappeared into Pakistan's unregulated tribal area." Berntsen insists this would have been stopped by a US military presence on the Afghan-Pak border, instead of a reliance on corrupt local warlords.
In November 2008, Berntsen published Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, and National Leadership: A Practical Guide. This book was written to serve as a manual for the incoming president and White House
staff and includes highly specific recommendations and policy prescriptions for human intelligence and counterterrorism operations.
Berntsen continues expressing his opinions and analysis to the news media and several government entities including police departments and federal agencies.
On May 23, 2010, Berntsen officially announced his candidacy for the New York Senate Seat currently held by Chuck Schumer. Berntsen's political campaign believes his national stature, his current ability to effect public policy, and his experience as a clandestine CIA operative make him a strong candidate for elected office. On June 1, 2010, with considerable support from the New York Tea Party movement, Berntsen is the Republican designee for US Senate against incumbent US Senator Chuck Schumer from New York and faces a Republican primary against Jay Townsend who received the Conservative party designation. After the GOP designation, personal endorsements from Republican leaders in New York began accumulating for the Berntsen campaign, including Representative Peter King
. In addition to the Republican nomination, Carl Paladino
declared Berntsen his nominee for Senate on his "Taxpayers Party" line.
Jay Townsend defeated Berntsen in the September 14, 2010 primary, 55 percent to 45 percent.
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
(CIA) career officer who served in the Directorate of Operations
National Clandestine Service
The National Clandestine Service is one of the four main components of the Central Intelligence Agency...
between October 1982 and June 2005. During his time at the CIA, he served as a CIA Station Chief on three separate occasions and led several of CIA’s most important counterterrorism deployments including the United States’ response to the East Africa Embassy bombings and the 9/11 attacks. He was awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal
Distinguished Intelligence Medal
The Distinguished Intelligence Medal is awarded by the Central Intelligence Agency for performance of outstanding services or for achievement of a distinctly exceptional nature in a duty or responsibility.-Notable Recipients:Robert G. Brewster...
in 2000 and the Intelligence Star
Intelligence Star
The Intelligence Star is an award given by the Central Intelligence Agency for a "voluntary act or acts of courage performed under hazardous conditions or for outstanding achievements or services rendered with distinction under conditions of grave risk." The award citation is from the Director...
in 2004.
He ran for the US Senate in 2010 for Chuck Schumer's seat, but lost the Republican primary to Jay Townsend, who in turn lost the general election.
History
Berntsen grew up in Smithtown, Long IslandLong Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, a suburb of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. When Berntsen was seventeen, he tried to join the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
but his parents would not sign the enlistment contract. He waited until his eighteenth birthday when he decided to enlist in the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Berntsen served for four years as a Crash Firefighter in the Air Force, including tours in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. During his time in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
he became obsessed with educating himself, which he did by reading biographies and enrolling in the Air Force's self-study program, acing several courses. Berntsen also spent much of his time in the gym or skydiving. After Berntsen's time as a firefighter he became a full-time college student where he majored in Political Science and minored in Russian Studies. He attended the U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leader Class for two summers. However, before he was commissioned in the Marine Corps, he was recruited into the CIA.
CIA career
In August 1998 Berntsen led the response team to the U.S. Embassy in Dar es SalaamDar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
. The subsequent investigation led to the capture of some 21 individuals involved with the planning and execution of the attacks.
Berntsen went to Afghanistan in March 2000 as a part of a CIA team that planned on capturing a senior Al Qaeda leader. Berntsen writes that though leaders at the CIA, particularly Cofer Black
Cofer Black
Joseph Cofer Black is an American counter-terrorism expert and consultant. He had a 28-year career in the Directorate of Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency, culminating in his appointment as Director of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center in June 1999...
and Hank Crumpton "had shown a willingness to plan and execute risky missions," top US government leadership including President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and CIA Director George Tenet
George Tenet
George John Tenet was the Director of Central Intelligence for the United States Central Intelligence Agency, and is Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University....
were unprepared to take the increased risks. It is recognized that the environment for covert CIA operations in areas of Central Asia significantly shifted after the September 11 attacks in 2001 on New York City and Washington, D.C. The legitimacy for conducting such operations received widespread recognition and the actions carried out by CIA personnel after the attacks allowed for greater efficacy in targeting Al Qaeda personnel planning and conducting operations against US interests. Furthermore, Berntsen's mission was also undermined by a CIA station chief in a neighboring country, dubbed Lawrence, who contacted CIA Headquarters calling for the mission to be called off. The mission was never executed and the CIA's indecision would lead the Northern Alliance's leader Ahmad Shah Massoud to conclude that the US was "not serious" about fighting the Taliban.
In December 2001, Berntsen served as the Commander of all CIA forces in Eastern Afghanistan and led the agency’s Jawbreaker team in Tora Bora
Tora Bora
Tora Bora , known locally as Spīn Ghar , is a cave complex situated in the White Mountains of eastern Afghanistan, in the Pachir Wa Agam District of Nangarhar province, approximately west of the Khyber Pass and north of the border of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan...
. With a new President and the United States rattled by 9/11, Berntsen returned to Afghanistan with significantly different instructions. On September 19, 2001, Cofer Black
Cofer Black
Joseph Cofer Black is an American counter-terrorism expert and consultant. He had a 28-year career in the Directorate of Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency, culminating in his appointment as Director of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center in June 1999...
, head of the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center
Counterterrorist Center
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's Counterterrorism Center was established in 1986. It is not to be confused with the National Counterterrorism Center, a separate entity.-Foundation and early years:...
told Berntsen, "You have one mission. Go find the al-Qaeda and kill them. We’re going to eliminate them. Get bin Laden, find him. I want his head in a box.… I want to take it down and show the president."
In his 2005 book, Jawbreaker
Jawbreaker: The attack on bin Laden and al-Qaeda
Jawbreaker: The attack on bin Laden and al-Qaeda: A personal account by the CIA's key field commander is an autobiographical book by Gary Berntsen describing the time he spent in Afghanistan at the beginning of the American campaign against the Taliban, al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden after the...
, he alleges that Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda, the jihadist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States and numerous other mass-casualty attacks against civilian and military targets...
could have been captured at Tora Bora if the US military (specifically United States Central Command
United States Central Command
The United States Central Command is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U.S. armed forces, established in 1983 under the operational control of the U.S. Secretary of Defense...
) had devoted more resources to the operation. This claim gained substantial traction due to a Senate Report on the circumstances of bin Laden's escape. According to both Berntsen's account and the Senate Committee's report, "Bin Laden and bodyguards walked unmolested out of Tora Bora and disappeared into Pakistan's unregulated tribal area." Berntsen insists this would have been stopped by a US military presence on the Afghan-Pak border, instead of a reliance on corrupt local warlords.
Recent activities
Gary released his first piece of fiction in August 2008. The book is titled The Walk-In and tells the story of an American CIA case officer dealing with an Iranian defector from the Quds Force. The defector claims that a catastrophic attack is imminent and the American case officer must decide what to believe.In November 2008, Berntsen published Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, and National Leadership: A Practical Guide. This book was written to serve as a manual for the incoming president and White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
staff and includes highly specific recommendations and policy prescriptions for human intelligence and counterterrorism operations.
Berntsen continues expressing his opinions and analysis to the news media and several government entities including police departments and federal agencies.
Campaign for US Senate
Main Article: United States Senate election in New York, 2010United States Senate election in New York, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate election in New York took place as scheduled on November 2, 2010 along with elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator...
On May 23, 2010, Berntsen officially announced his candidacy for the New York Senate Seat currently held by Chuck Schumer. Berntsen's political campaign believes his national stature, his current ability to effect public policy, and his experience as a clandestine CIA operative make him a strong candidate for elected office. On June 1, 2010, with considerable support from the New York Tea Party movement, Berntsen is the Republican designee for US Senate against incumbent US Senator Chuck Schumer from New York and faces a Republican primary against Jay Townsend who received the Conservative party designation. After the GOP designation, personal endorsements from Republican leaders in New York began accumulating for the Berntsen campaign, including Representative Peter King
Peter T. King
Peter T. "Pete" King is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. King's central Long Island district includes parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties....
. In addition to the Republican nomination, Carl Paladino
Carl Paladino
Carl Pasquale Paladino is an American businessman and political activist from Buffalo, New York. Paladino is the founder and chairman of Ellicott Development Company, a real estate development company he founded in 1973. He was the 2010 Republican nominee for the New York gubernatorial election,...
declared Berntsen his nominee for Senate on his "Taxpayers Party" line.
Jay Townsend defeated Berntsen in the September 14, 2010 primary, 55 percent to 45 percent.
See also
- Osama Bin LadenOsama bin LadenOsama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda, the jihadist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States and numerous other mass-casualty attacks against civilian and military targets...
- AfghanistanAfghanistanAfghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
- Counterterrorism
- Gary SchroenGary SchroenGary C. Schroen is a former Central Intelligence Agency field officer who was in charge of the initial CIA incursion into Afghanistan in September 2001 to topple the Taliban regime and to destroy Al Qaeda....
- Battle of Tora BoraBattle of Tora BoraThe Battle of Tora Bora was a military engagement that took place in Afghanistan in December 2001, during the opening stages of the war in that country launched following the 9/11 attacks on the United States. The U.S...
- Cofer BlackCofer BlackJoseph Cofer Black is an American counter-terrorism expert and consultant. He had a 28-year career in the Directorate of Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency, culminating in his appointment as Director of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center in June 1999...
External links
- GaryforNewYork.com Gary Berntsen for US Senate - Official Gary Berntsen for Senate website, providing information about his Senate campaign
- BerntsenNSR.com Berntsen National Security Review – Official Gary Berntsen Blog on National Security Issues
- BerntsenGroup.com Berntsen Group- Official Website of Gary Berntsen's Company
- Middle East Institute Book Launch with Gary Berntsen - Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, and National Leadership: A Practical Guide (October 17, 2008)
- More Troops Are Nice, but More Intelligence Needed to Save Afghan War – Jeff Stein writing for CQ Politics (October 31, 2008)
- CIA Commander: U.S. Let bin Laden Slip Away - Michael Hirsh writing for Newsweek (August 15, 2005)
- CIA’s Bin Laden hunter to reveal near-miss raid - Sarah Baxter writing for the TimesThe TimesThe Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
(August 14, 2005)