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Secmates C0 itors tnpet e a estes oe Seamed @ me roi resnmemstis se assesoaue Semtates 0 Te sory monnenous an nosti oome Semtee Dewionncommeiatnncsnmenzen nntemsconsierty ane 0 mesmnaig i nronsas raat ta anvart eron say ane mrempmmi tey Anwers ween soon sunninnen reer Arr omezece 0 Ouegons © Prensa rend onto rina init tort sn uo moms 18 rev mi minas ne iecmrman aterm em — manna ___ stroarmeramnand Rew nenc ce 30 June 2020 memoranoum ror recoro SUBJECT Acton by he Appointing Authorty — Amy Regulaton 15 6 Investigation Report Regarding Use of Ditict of Columbia Army Natonal Guard Rotary Wing Assets Flown Witin Washington DG on 1 June 2020 1 have conducted a ral review of the investigating oficers report incuding the reports paratve trains o 2 Mer reviening the malerals noted above conclude the folowing a The findings and recommendations ofthe investigating ofice in the Report of Investigation ROL atached to DA Form 1574—1 are approved wih the folowing modifcatons 1 1 disapprove finding a of te ROI 2 approve findings b through t the ROL 3 1 add fncings in Enclosure A 4 I modity recommendation a in Encosure A 5 approve recommendations b tough e o he ROL b ake the actions specified in Enclosure A ge Advocate Don RRR mail WAUCRIWILAMS ETRTTIe s mm os mmm ° Ene munis waker Major General USA Commanding General Ps yomr rorce neapouantens # stil iron inenn tike A neo ee mable toot d 4 6 ovat carnoc smeer a CP wiennoron o€ minis Enclosure A 1 I add the folowing findings of fact a I ind that a relevant email rom RRRRIIIIIBmm to BG Ryan was not included in the investigation and have added it here as Exnibt 105 in tat oma repent notifes BG Ryan that we have permission to andy into DC Prohibited areas based on an eatter ema rom Imm incicating waiver approval by the U S Secret Service to fy in PSGA and P968 Exit 106 at 1 b find thatthe Exhibits 106 and 107 should be included in the evidence as they are Perfomance Planning Cards for the UK—72 and indicate thatthe arcrat had single— engine fy—away capabilty at elevations between 0 and 82 feet depending on the amount of fuelin the arcrat I find that Exhbots 108—110 should be included in the evidence as they are the semeameneriiiit a sv on sitiement o eRe ac i pamemmmenemim nemam 0 foc ior mpm pnomonneme o JTF Commander BG Ryan on the aviaion assets at his disposal notwithstanding the statement in Exhit 21 at 5 The investigation identified bwo ar ambulance helicopters that were on this mission tat have not been property marked in accordance with AR 40 3 ROI t Tabic 1 rupommmenenmmeennnnnennrerrrrrrrrrrrmmmn nemam e find that BG Ryan did not rect the use of his aviation assets for the purposes of crowd dispersal or low hovers over crouds Exhibit 9 at 7—11 Exhibit 108 at 3—4 Exhibit 100 at 1 in acoco enenompampppppmomumn nommmrrmum 1 I id thaR@RRRRIIIIIIIE misunderstood or modified the commanders mision intent to include orbting around crois and dispersing crowds and conveyed those mission taskings to subordinates Exh 21 at 3 4 6—7 This is also supported by for example the statement of one f BRBRIIIIL Exhibit 14 at fin that BRIIRIRIRIIIII® was not present during the mission briefing take—off mission execution or landing of the aviation assets on the evening of 1 June and moring of 2 June Exhibit 21 at 8 1 inc o renee should have been aware oftne regutatory requrementto see approval rom OAMG—AV for the use of alr ambulance aicraf for other than in support of the aeromedical or humanitarian NGDC-CG Enclosure A 2 relief missions Exhibit 36 at 1 and AR 95-1 para 3-3 n 4 as cited in the ROI at 16-17 and responsibilities listed in NG Supplement to AR 95-1 i I find that This is contradicted by the statement of “The Pamphlet provides guidance on the authorized missions… and is not regulatory in nature… It is important that users verify the accuracy of the NG PAM before following any of the procedures described ” and “The use of MEDEVAC in immediate response should only be within the confines of the MEDEVAC missions set ” Exhibit 36 at 1 It is also contradicted by the statement of “For the execution phase our team could not find evidence of an authorized exception to utilize the air ambulance aircraft for other than in support of the aeromedical or humanitarian relief missions” as required by AR 95-1 Exhibit 17 at 2 j I find that This is contradicted by “The use of MEDEVAC in immediate response should only be within the confines of the MEDEVAC mission set ” Exhibit 36 at 1 There is no evidence in this investigation that the low hover that is the subject of this investigation was intended to take immediate action to save life mitigate property damage or alleviate human suffering See e g Exhibit 14 at 9-10 Exhibit 27 at 7-9 k I find that failure to follow the regulatory requirement to seek approval for the use of air ambulance aircraft for other than in support of the aeromedical or humanitarian relief missions resulted in the JTF Commander believing that all aviation assets could be used in accordance with his mission intent Exhibit 9 at 9 Exhibit 108 at 3-4 l I find that BG Ryan was not aware of the regulatory requirement to seek approval for the use of air ambulance for other than in support of the aeromedical or humanitarian relief missions Exhibit 9 at 9 Exhibit 108 at 3 and 5 m I find that the statements of as well as the two Performance Planning Cards for the UH-72 aircraft indicate that the UH-72 pilots could have performed an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface if a power unit fails as required by 14 CFR 91 119 a Exhibit 17 at 2 Exhibit 35 at 2 Exhibits 106 and 107 n I find that the pilots operated the helicopters in a manner consistent with U S Secret Service approval and with FAA oversight of flight operations in accordance with 14 CFR 91 119 d Exhibit 104 at 1-2 see Exhibits 85-103 for FAA oversight b 6 b 6 b 6 b 7 C b 6 b 6 b 6 b 6 b 7 C b 6 NGDC-CG Enclosure A 3 2 I modify recommendation a to read a I recommend that the DCARNG develop processes to prevent such a recurrence 3 I intend to take the following actions b 6 b 7 C b 6 b 6 b 7 C 10 June 2020 ___ Army Regulation 15 Investigation Report Regarding Use of Distret of Columbia Army National Guard Rotary Wing Assets Flown Within Washington DC on 1 June 2020 ___ 22222222222 __ Executve Summar Beant oo a aresondecace oboe midenss meee EA220 Tesieve Bra al arcew memners aciea in goos ath atempling to cary out he mission set as they understand it 1 also fnd tha the Disvict of Columbia Amy Natonal Guard dit not comply wih Army Regulation AR 95—1 Fight Requlatons ints use f air ambulance airaft at evering Background On 3 June 2020 Major General Witam J Waker Commanding General Disrct of Columba Natonal Guard appointed me to conduct an adminisvalve invesigaton ino the facts and rcumstances surrounding te employment of Distict of Columbia Army National Guard DCARNG rolay wing assets over te Distret of Columbia on the evering of 1 June 2020 n support of Disvic of Columbia National Guard DCNG ov disturbance response operations Speciicaly I was tasked to ascertain the folowing 1 identfy general nformation regarding the aircraft personnal operating the averaf to include traning corifeatons and ncleat i there were any oer passengers on the areraft and speciy thar purpose for being on the irr Provide he specifcatons ofhe ara maintenance complance ai worthiness and any oter matters you determine relevant and appropriate 2 What was the mission execution purpose nature and scope ofthe operation on 1 June 2020 during rolay wing fight manowers 3 Determine the approvals and authorties th fight crew were operating under 1 if specife fight manewvers were direct who directed and approved thos fight manewers 8 What are the creumstances that authorize aiaft o operate at low alitude were circumstances present to sal allow operating the arcrt a a lower alte and was te plot rained andlor did the plot seok authorization to fy at a lower luce 6 Was a isk assessment completes for operating the aircraft a lower alltudes and conducting the fight manowers 7 Was there an improper use of the Red Cross insignia 8 You may obtain any text emai oter witten communicaton audio vdeo recordings photographs rom any source t include social media and open source media reparing relevant to this investigation Consul wilh your legal advisor regarding appropriate requests o obtain copies a 0 During the course of nteriens and the gathering of evidence you may encounter information not specialy addressed above f you encounter such information consul wih your legal acviso to ensure the information is relevant o tis investigation Futher your report should indcato and determine if there are any oter policies or laws tra may have been vated Overview The Commanding General ordered his AR 15 6 Investgaton on 3 Jne 2050 00 al date reviewed the appointment memorandum and consuted wit @R sitkiened technical Subject Matter Export SME On 4 June I mat with my aga achsor and tna day wo stated galhering documents and Inteviewing winessos On 5 June additonal SMEs were added to assist No regulates to report Ihave been upable ts oman al ine olermalne desnd bu maiseorce iniccten ate wiil iden a aaa aane Green Thave oxtames sutfcent nfomaton to suppor the inaings and recommendation set ort below and do not believe additonal time to gather more wiess statements is necessary See also attached timeine Summary of Relevant Material Facts The Scene Washington DC on 1 June 2020 Monday 1 June 2020 danned wih The Washington Post above—the fad At headine U S at a precio as demonstrations interst The top picture under the headine showed a coud around a fre wih the caption A fre bums Sunday night near he White House as demonstraions continued ratormide over te death of George Foy and police reatment of Aran Americans The above the fold ight column began 26 STATES CALL IN NATIONAL GUARD 2 dozen cies impose sweeping curews The atl related that protetars had taken to te streets fora sith night noting anger a vilent and chaotl weekend and Secret Service cashing fora second day wih demonstators outside the White House The reporters wrote The events put the county at a precipice And the question was whether the events ofthe weekend would mark the climax ofthe unrest ors onset United States Attorney General Witam P Barr wrote to Washington DC Mayor Mure Bowser Staring on Friday May 29 he Disict experienced days of violent noting and looting that caused widespread damage injured dozens of federal and MPD law enforcement offeers breached the Treasury Deparment anne and treatoned federal operations around the White House complex This violence culminated Sunday—reportedly the most valent diay o cil unrest the District in 30 years—whon raters unsarted pavers rom Lafayet Park to throw as projectios against federal law 112x8 Th Wangen Pot At ue 1 200 1x8 ston rested o Ein Houten br be Wasingon Pot 5 8 b lase Sariny Hecker Fic Sonner and Kate Water s enforcement agents bumed down a stricture on federal propery in Lafayete Park and caused a fre in the basement of historic St John‘s Church As the roles dispersed fom the park te vielence continued with foters breaking into stores and lootng smal businesses thoughout the ely The television footage ofthese events—iewed by people across the Nation and araund the workd——conveyed the impression atthe United States was onthe brink oflesing contra ofts captal ty Faced with te prospect of things continuing to get out of hand the President requested hat we immediately expand the resources avaiable to operate i the Distict—inlucing by working with he Distic of Columbia Natonal Guard DCNG and wih State ofials to make teir National Guard personnel avaiable Our objectives were to ensure tat the rong would end thal federal goverment functons would contiue and tha law and order in the Natin‘s captal would be restored ¢ On 1 June 2020 a number of seniar Department of the Amy leaders gathered at The Distict of Columbia National Guard Amory to discuss he evoiing ors as hey had in days pro These leaders included the Secretary of the Amy the Chi f Sa of he Army the Army Provost Marshal Genera he Commanding General and Adtant General ofthe Distict of Columbia National Guard and others Less than 20 miles away at Davison Army Afflld DAF he DCARNG had eight areraf ats Amy Avation Support Facit AASF The operations ofcer for that unt surmariced 1 sat o several conference cals and the opic had come out eater in te day tnat Army National Guard Solcies were going to be armod carting weapons wih ammunition Vou have armed Soldiers n an escalite forse stuaton There were discussions o whether or not we fe _ NHNRRORRRNRRRRNE n a sitoment by he 11% commenter on ore e conference cals nat i we faled to deter unlawil actvty on the Nattonal Mal that he 82nd would deter the actviy the E2nd would be on the streets And used the term tha th is he Natonal Guard‘s D Day 1 think that perhaps framed the mission rom tere on One ofthe aficers who served as plot in command of a UK—72 aircwit ate that evening was present for a cal between the JTF—CD Commander and tne Task Force Avation CommanderiSiate Army Avation Offeer SAAD at around 1500 hours Monday night was going to be a large ramp up of National Guard troops in the cly and that was where the urgency was palpable about the need to 45x16 une 2000 later fom U8 Atomey Gone Wikam P Bar o 0 C Mazer ara Bowsor and Aer Goren at A Races ‘ mocttara tabilihl 2 — a protetthe cip protect the monuments The urgency ofthat cll was an experience thatI have not had before about the need fr succoss in protecting the aty and thatit we didnt do the 82nd Artome was gong to take over for us and lock down the oly So the clear message bat I understood was tha i was very vey important that the DC Guard be able to protest the ay Mayor Bowser ordered a 1900 curfew for the evening of 1 June 2020 In a news conference she explained 1 have spent this morning walking aroun the cito assess damage and thre is signtfeant damage in the downtown areas especialy in the blocks immediately around Lafayette Square And I want t be very clear about something as the nation‘s captal We are frequent hosts to Fist Amendment demonstrations and we applaud the American spirt of protest and especial protest to the federal goverment However we do not and we wil not alow the continued destruction of our hometown by people who are coming here to protest ory D C residents SJmashed windows and loting are becoming a bigger story than the broken systems that got us hore D C Metepaltan Police Deparment MPD Poice Chi Peter Newsham amaunced ‘If you are not a member of the media or you do not have an essenta function you can antipate that local ole and federal police wil take you into custody if the curfew were violated Vielence and 1ooting broke out again tat evening at various points troughout Washington The following day‘s Washington Post Met section reported D C shops taly losses Vandalism and looting leave marks downtown and in neighbothoods ® The 1900 curtew had been in effect for well more than an hour on 1 June 2020 before the JTF—CD Commander BG Ryan deployed all available DCARNG rotary wing air assets Beginning at approximately 2030 hours ve DCARNG holcopters were ordered to downtoun Washington OC One o the halcopters was a Securty and Supnot confiqured UK72 Lakota areraf One was an air ambulance configured UH— 72 which bore a Red Cross marking Three were air ambulance confgured UK—60 Blackhawks one of which was marked wih a Red Cross — HIS 1210 Anton cont ndea08 d andt ansvatedognten marten deur octets o to Mes aree sonitataiin sit oeecate sogncon martencnctecencamiens‘ #51 18 Pad Schirteman Fanean Nation Nae Arsen 0G ates aly omen he Waaingon Post Mave Seton 1 une 22020 Nowa tu toh tring of pnt nada aie ins f h aricl deat wih octng on b say morning ws o Jue s Offer halcopters wer already in te Washington DC airspace The tve responding DCARNG helcopters hat credtaled tvoughout th downtown area tnat evening were requested by chiian aw enforcement to repor to specifc ocatons such as Intersections in th oly where law enforcement personnel on the ground requestad air assistance n one knoin instance caught bya number of call phone cameras and posted to social media and nthe news a DCARNG UH—72 helcapte descended below 100 ect above a crond A DCARNG UK—60 helcopter had been he frst to report to the location but id not descend furter out of the rew‘ concem that the rotor wash from the UK—60 would be unsafe for people on the ground The UK—40 plot noted some use of lasers and freworks rom the crowd Once the UKL72 aived tere were no noted additonal uses of lasers o frowarks The irc relumed to DAAF between approximately 2330 hat evening and 0100 the next moring 1 General information regarding the aircraft and personnal operating the aircraft On the evering of 1 June 2020 DCARNG launched fve helcopters that operated within the Washington DC airspace Three were UK—60L Blackhawk aittames tall numbers 8423001 05—24748 82818 and two were UK—72 Lakotas al numbers 1172212 0872054 Allarcrew members were Readinass Level 1 qualifed and currentin he assigned altcralt® Al arerafl were curentin maintenance wth the last maintenance action on 1 June 2020 5 ty cigs mos Air Ambulance AA or Securly Support G85 oren mame Monk Cotertates Jnbaak Lauceal bang bn camamiee cerzuse AA wi Reo Cross SES Eauppod win Mission Equbmert Package VEP meee a ce mancranium o 4 ie 200 inoron«iGgigiiiiiii 1200 ANNIE renner mcse i e FII TONTTT T ie stan coo @ °°@¥i¥iiiiiiil s Four of he aireait contained a crow of hvae a plot in command a plot and one otrer crow member One alert U—40 85—24748 contained a crew of fur a plotin command a plot a craw chef and a medic aa lsar s $0—20153 Senty 6—1 aes sar ambulances were correcty marked wih Red Cross insignia The oer wo air ambulance arraft were not marked wih Red Crass insignia as requred The th aire UrL72 1172212 isa designated Securty and Support G45 arcra equipped with a Mission Equipment Package MEP and a hgh—intensty searchight known as a ‘SX18 Nightsun The onl non Sow passenger tat cveric os RRR RIR costed where and as requested by o acthortes 2 Mission Execution Purpose Nature and Scope The mission as understood by TF—CD Commander Brigadier General Ryan Brigadier General Robert Ryan isthe Land Component Commander DC National Guard On 1 June 2020 he served as the Commander JTF—CD and Joint Task Force cov utF—coup atty ites On 1 June 2020 Iwas surprised to lean thatthe Secretary of the Amy was back in the Amory for a thid day in a row and I was summoned over to the ofice ofthe Commanding General And I vas taken back to see the Chief of Saf oft Army was wit him and that was at 11 30 on Monday morning They ware hare fo four hours Whi they were hare 1 know the Chie f Saffo the Amy General MeConvile recaved a phone al fom the Chatman ofthe Joint Chief o Staff an I understand that the Secretiry o he Army recaved a phone cll from the Secretary of Defense And ove t course ofthe our hous thay made thar intent very clear And at he end of hat four hours Secretary McCarty directed us that we woul an its cocifed in a fragmentary order that we s published Butfoallitents and purposes ood he box wit eventing we have And that was the foderal enclave in downtown Washington The Chief of Saf ofthe Amy stated made te utlerance and it was a spontaneous uttrance—that The White House wil not burn white I am Chief of Staff o the Army So th intent was very clear twas rather shocking By all means necessary immediate response authorty You wil deploy te DC National Guart by all means necessary armed ou in support of cil authortyin the Distict of Columbia i the existing joint operations area we had to include massive presence and so we executed So just continuing to the bestof my recolecion that atemaon it was in efect Everyone 0 8 and below was o be out by all means necessary Never before had BG Ryan seen this level of mobilizing al DC Guard frees Notably however during the above discussion wih hose senor leaders BG Ryan recals no discussion of ai assets On he evering of 1 June 2020 BG Ryan made the decison o launch al avaiable DCARNG alena to ‘show a mitay presence and do observation and command and contrl fand interagency support ® BG Ryan testfes hat he made the decision when the Epnpmmingen him teared to fy in emmimmninnics cos o Abinbibbididiiiit ® 00s» 20 Ryan who caled him In any case bolh agree BG Ryan mae te decision as t vas his authorty And altough BG Ryan acknowedges ho was aware of the assets here was no discussion sociis o he airral being air ambulances What dd he rey to the SARO and Commander Task Force Aviation Iknow the Intent to fod th box whatever capabify we had to flood he box So we had an aviation capaniiy ve arerat Yos putt arcraftup ® The mission as understood by he SAAD and TF—Avition Commander BG a Isteoh ime point atte agproxmalay 1800 hours on 1 June 2020 According to BG Ryan informed him We are actvating the force We have a green ight noed you to put allo he arezal up in the ar 1got RExB yon Pamscip ts onptast sete Afimmmqait Et Aminsnas IEfimpeqnt nfe eager Mt Amineemiar Molinmminc — wieinbiinidatt o « s special permission 1 need you to goto the resvicted area ear tre White House and US Captol I need you t support ihe task foree I naed you to assi al our spocial agencies and I need you to ort around the crowds to disparse any typo ot looting mayhom whatsoever but that fl force need to acknowledge the mission ® Accortng to RRR ne scope was estabish an antal dominance and put as much arcra out thar fve aieraft provide meral command and conto f Guard personnal because they had about 1200 tops on that day il requred provide aeromedical evacuation capabities because had two medieal personnal in he back of the iter which were medics show helcopter presence and then assist wih Task Forse Monument the teops on the ground MPD FBL and Secret Sevice ® po — — » Oe o n o eet I sid the tasking that recemes was t unos go over he crows wherever there was any ype of loong and then just by to orit round the crowds if tere was any lsotng and whatever that mission is but just show a presence here if tre is anything kinda erazy going on That exact words Probably not but it was te kinda whole mission that was coming down ® The mission as understond by th @@@ s — c c —— c 20189 ina night Hs understanding of he mission at launch was to provide support to task force monument over the National Mall the right on June 1t ntl June 2nd 2020 The diretve hat we got was to food he box s food the P SGA the area of the mal wth rotor wing arraft to detor criminal atvy unlawiu actly to defend the monuments rom potential damage The mission as understood by he arcrous ® ooo — — 23061 tnat night Hi understanding ofthe masion at launch was to provide support in the aty in P66 Addtonaly to provide support forthe law enforcement on the ground To hep dently routs and look fo any unrest % I hink ne point was Just _ 5 a onphoss aoged noopass spat negates 4 mooe‘k 7 megfiat ‘Th Commanding Geral devin th Invesiquing Offer o wit a concinet vor 7 dar trom wpotinat int mrrentrant be han Inniien anh mete more mdatmierey Mersin mani feira retain mam maven guo o entera nas ned rie amunont tow ar con nece Ailiiiiiibiitiiniiiiitdiiieltom witibiton Inestgatog Offca dos no pavee nat any urne satomonts we necessary An nmmnnons Iincomnl io ncn armioon to ntonnth coan row nomnoe w wa I Innscrocar » to have the heleapters in the air t provide tat presence Inialy t was t go get eyes on and look on our oun and thon asthe groups on the ground needed more specife to move o ther area He recalls being caled to three o four iferent Intersecions one near Capital One Arena ® There were lots of reports ot ootng that ivanted us to check out 3 Requests for assistance ware relayed thro lii Hi cs at DAAF ratrer than through the Jont Operation Center JOC because the arcrans did not have contact wih he JOC® or ur—2 0872054 the hatcopter iter CptGres on cet prone veo at at and on 1 June 2020 His understanding of he mission at unch So launch the fleet wi spociic guidance that were ether unruly crouds witn ootng and crimes being commited moving inibaly on he area surounding the Aftean American History Museum So hat was ou ist point go fd tham there and provide a constant obvious presence to ty to eter orminal actviy and provent injury to people and signiicant property damage Fly low be loud Fy low over te crowds ® The purpose as understood based on the order I was given was to immediately launch every aitraft hat we have was to rove a deterrent presence over the mall area and the downtown area Fiylow hover bo overhead helcopters are loud so ifs cistracing and annoying when there‘s a hateopter over you So tats the purpose It was a right ime aviation operation in suppor of i authorites o help prevent damage to property and inkry o peogle during rotng and chil unrest Scope woul be every arcraf we had in the D G area the area immediately surrounding t mal for as long as we could safely co it You krow run out of duty day stp doing it or tus becomes obvious thats theres no more crou‘s go home Thats he scope The scope was th feet our medical aircta and non—medal arcrat REIEEGERRRRRRR 0 72 0572050 oo 1 Jore 2020 o understood a mssion as Were launching ive arcraf to show a miltary presence and to lok for ioters looting to encourage dispersal of crowds i they seemed ike tey were outof contra or geting disorderly and basicaly tat was t » I as bansors as banca s Iano ae binscr m F moomace a rans atzzes rectus 10 — u—e0 @5—24748 on 1 une e undersod the mason to be snow of force He explained Wie te exact words are iffeut to rec I remeber a clear sense of urgency to launch the aireraf quicky and a request fo a ‘shou of force apparently from the highest levels of DC Guard and Army leadership ® EEHRIERERRR o s«—2205 RI ocats being brites tat they wore cleared into P—56A and tht ‘we were to launch all avalable arerat t assist he ground assets wih disprsing the crouw‘s out past curfew We were toto fy low haver make noise and craw atterin with th hopes thatthe cous would go home 3 Approvals and Authors Under Which the Flight Crow Operated Several winesses pointed to the unique poltical and social creumstances on 1 June 2020 As BG Ryan tsifed on hat day numerous national miltary leaders gthored at the DC Nation Guard Amos incuding the Secretary ofthe Amy and Chie of Stat of the Amy _The Chie f Sat ofthe Amy spoke by shone with the Chaiman of the Joint Chiels of Stat The Secretay ofthe Amy spoke by phone with he Secretary of Defense A few days earier in an intertiaw unrelated to his AR 15 6 Investgaton BG Ryan mentioned thatthe Secretay of Defense i urn was on the phone wih the President ofthe United Slates ® Tihe nent ofthe President SECDEF SEC Amy Chaman of the Jant Chiefs and the Chef o Sta f the Army vas vey cea to food thebox © v when ging the order o employ the ai assets BG Ryan informed RRB HHH NC 10 memers M Tore ie have a green lont I nocd yous r alle the areraf up in the ar 1 got social pormissions On the right of 1 June 2020 while th helcoplers were above Washnglon DC BG Ryan had a pbordinate commanders One of the commanders commented ‘ Whibiiniibdida hatcopters are looking good B Ryan responded ‘OMG I am out here to Incredible got special permision to lunch Fullauthorties®® On 2 June 2020 fecoived a cat from the Department o we Army Mitary Operatons—Avaton A ofice and resort to BG Ryan via text message tat offee‘s concems aboutthe DGARNG holeopler usage on the evening of 1 June 2020 buienen 1 6x0 montansertacs 1x0 ian wotion panic atas movie at 2 OER BGL otc panic atas movie ats — Coates 9 2 Cor recn nice x20 Tex chars anprass ace n BG Ryan responded ‘Presidental Approval Fuly veted @ If by ful vetec BG Ryan was refering to the meeting involing senior mitiry leaders athe DC Amory on 1 June 2020 there is no evidence that air assets were discussed atall Iti unikely that anyone above BG Ryan‘s evel knew on 1 Jun 2020 tat ai ambulance asses were to be viized There is no evidence that BG Ryan speciicaly told any ofthe senior mitary leadership visting te DC Amory on 1 June 2020 It sppears that BG Ryan beleved thatthe fact those assets were air ambulances was irelevant due to the mision se he was given by the leaders who were ging it under the areumstances as hey then existed BG Ryan als tested he was unaware that a walvor yas reauired to ublze the air ambulances outside ther authorized purposes in domestic operations Once ordered to deploy the arcrat should ref@RRRRRRRRRI have reminded BG Ryan bat hese were alc 50l lance assets 1 beteve the answer isa qualfed you ew aneInn o oo r ro red revlon omit in rone But as noted above BG Ryan sal bath when ging him the order o launch and later that night in a tet that he had special permissions Indeed BG Ryan ather beleved himael o athe very least caused others to aleve tat the order o empicy these assets had come al the way rom tre President At the uit level the approvals and authorties are addressed in an atachment to this report by one of th wets SME appointed to assit in tis ie ncaa s airerat were authorized by air vatic contrl ATC with the coottinaton of ne National Gapial Regional Coorcinaton Conter NCRCC o operate witin the P—58 Airspace 4 If specific fight manouvers were directed who directed and approved those fight maneuvers As noted by RRI nc Arcrow Training Program Commander sutarizes at tasks associated with s mission via the Commanders Task Ls RRR otes In order for the Plots n Command PGs or assumed A Mission Commander AMC to support and meet t ground commanders intent they had to rely on thor best judgement to accompish the mission in a safe manner while operating outside thar normal mission se The designation of AMC is an assignment f command responsibilty an is not an arerew duty assignment AMs are chosen based on recent aviation experience matury udgmont thai abiiios for mission stuatonal awareness he understanding of he commander‘ intent and not necessariy upon rank or rade AMCs wil paricipate in the mission approval process and may receive the final mission approval fo all rous in the tight #6020 Toucans Exh Ryinimnscistars in No AMC was designated for tis mision or for the fight of 2x UtL90s However based on Iontews win t crommon bors iii assumed the dues of AMC during he mission The PGs in conknction wth he assumed ANC were responsible for the safe operation of al arerat while supporing te ground commanders Fen domg he mean Although no maneuvers were drocied ii law entrcment agencies made recuesis for aisral to respond to muttle ocatons BIRRRRRIGccama he os fco ar eperalions offeer on the evening of 1 June 2020 He did not know what the mission was when he artived and had t piece t together Afr his aval at DAAF he began to fied mutiple cals rom the MPD and otrs including requests to sond irc to certain areas or intersections Ho cid not keep specifc records of most o he requests but he and another speciaist woking atthe unt that night oted down a fw neles on no carts ncludng references to certain intersections and the phone numbers of varous agencies incuding the Secret Service A lot of requests were to go o different itorsectons 2 bs ales meal coach hose UCO areca police radio to facitale communication us foul relay requests o ne UF—80 croms turn relay requests to e 72 crews At one point later in he evening Feceived a request fom MPD to raise the aircrews because thar pst — ldg ras heeing win NPD abity o communicate ard aso mt he affeacy of CS gas ® A 500 oot dack fo the UK—72s and 700foot deck fr the UH—60s were then nstiuted e inslance a request was flded and relayed o pick up an iind depest fim h fothorance ofhis miasion on 1 ane ee aree — c » JTF—CD Iaison oficers wi ey received and relayed two speci ocaton requests to TF—Aviaton one regarding loolng in he area of 10 and H Stveets near Washington DC iy Genter and andther regarding reports of Molotoy cocks near 19 and R Streets They also relayed MPD‘ request for the haloptersto go highor HIRE ——1s wot rom fight operatons which requested air support for varous taskings He does not recal wich specife agencies requested air support as a Sees megar 4 Rare meogne each I necrst a 10 IRIE o oscuses sat ve i RNR fra ‘TOMB cn an c BRR ce co LBIRRL nen — om is sth tran te RIR i1e cesorves he prima actly as fing racetrack pattems‘ around the Natonal Mal but did receive specifc requests to foy over diferent pars ofthe oly including Georgelomn Captal Hil Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan ® IIE 21 recwests tc postion aircraft over crain intersections becaus tesors of some bpe of unlawful actviy This involved hovering over couds ® iii con was not tasked with any such request but he cid hear radio transmissions of such requests # s —— so c c 0ccs geting requests relayed rom the UK—80s ® Regarding what fight maneuvers were rected he respondea they were to Took to noing and loong and mhtary presence whic included hovers so that would be a directed maneuver I quess f you wanted t say tatt EEL co recoved nor relayed a request for any aioatt o go lower ® 5 What are the circumstances that authorise alcraft to operate at low alitude were circumstances present to safely allow operating the arcraft at a lower alltude and was the pilot rained andfor cld the pllt soak authorization to fy at a lower alttude Atthe outst itis importantto note that Distict of Columbia airspace fing rues are unique Indeed th ying events on the night of 1 June 2020 conte in whatis known as P—50A a prohibled arsouce perimeter around the White House U Captol and Natonal Nai diggin — it 0 6 requires you ty hong fis by the nature of D C‘s alr space ° arspace is governed by maxinum alltudes rather than iminimum alitides as non aviators may orpoct For example fying over the Potomac River near P 6A imposes a maxinum altude of 200 fect above mean sea leve MSL due to is proximity to Reagan National Arport to alow for safe separation of helcopter tafte rom aitin traffic The mamum alitude in P—S6A is 700 fect MSL The Investigating Oficer leamed of one instance whore two irc n lum hovered over a crond 5® and E Stron ® the second haver was captured on cal phone v feported in he moda The fot to anve vos v or colilitititiiitinibii o 5 ase 4 medal Fnspul real Hered p Peat a fog‘ mepuale Pipiiieent Paiccle nose Oran eedogenniene Serenite me smibes eoniton st ahora heroine ah metin oe mhaen aeenien min mns AB Conn inomnniesinr 1 hovered at around 150 feat and di not beleve he should descend lover o ho Tolo wath of a lacipautc 1s cate in ro Un BRR o yo a beter look atthings bnreanrmeopmrmpnmaremeversmmaieinbietiniaite —w—mrmiteintiel the UFH6D plot said there was ‘a large group gathering and there was tak of looting and ring ® MIRI — croweoes cescencing below 100 fet As to why he descended ‘we were 10 to find the crocs y low over them provid that constant obvious presence as hopefuly a deterent and we came donn you know bref below 100 fea and tren picked it u and moved on He thinks the word hover may have been used when he ‘was ntlaly onefed about his misson sct RORRRRRAve at was used inlond or the eatier amving U0 because You know a Latola at 80 feet doesn t produce the lind of wind effector rotor wash tat a Blackhaiik does but it makes some wind suc thatthe aireaf had suffcent power to peform the tasks descr y eye wiinesses and as sean in recorded vdeo incluing suficient power at the estmated hover hight to ahr safely fy away o make a safe landing in the event of a sing engine falure sive RNR — wos as one of the technica acvisorsto the Investigating Oficer Regarang te crons Tcoung be box WRRRRRRRILonee With the tasking of Flood the Box these crews in my opinion demonstrated vemendous taciea inlalve and great prudence in judgement to both complete thar assigned mission and maintain aircraft control whi liming to the maximum any type of colatea damage versonaliroperty This judgement was bost demonstrated by he retain that t Plotin Command PC of Serty 07 detertined when tying to best observe the above events n the vinty o 5® and E Street NW Ho maintained the iscipine to not descend his UK —60 Blackhawk any lower because he calculated hat wih a nearly 54 rotor disc and an Out of Ground Eifect OGE hover it would most kal crate damage or infry tothe structures or people below He then recommended that Senty 01 replace him in that lecation because the UH—72 is a signticanty smaller haicapter wih only a 38 rotor disc Even at an OGE hover the smaller helcopter would be 6 an near Reto fmsoach medal R eval Aho mar onar rte CBIR c o « RUR is able to safely descend lower and stl not create damage producing only a light breeze on tne stveet ule having a better vantage pont iis is evident on mutiple videos Whi conducting the hover the Non—Rated Cresmember NRGM had the cargo door open to ensure te tal f the alrcra was clear ofall obstacles A shor time ate Senty 02 was able to come on scene and use thair Nightsun‘ uch is a very bright search lght that made t possible for allaral to operate at a higher allude and sill maintain stvational awareness SA for te Joit Task Force ITF Commander No plot sought author to y lower Al elleved they had the authonty o operate at whatever level deemed necessary I asked BG Ryan aboutthe video f the arcrat that had circulated in the macia I asked him whether that erat hovering low over the eroid was in the authorized mission set BG Ryan replied not realy ‘ thatthe mision set was more to be a presence out there and not ‘necessarly for cours suppression BG Ryan acknowledged however hata low hover over a cd cou have been within the mason nient 8G Ryan dG not rocal origins restrictions on the mission 8 Was a risk assessment completed for operating the aircraft at lower alitudes and conducting the fight maneuvers Yes Operation o iret at lower alludes and associated fight sks are rained and evaluated The Risk Assessment Valve RAV associated win theso base tasks was assessed as ‘Low and approved by the anproprate authonty 7 Was there an improper use ofthe Red Cross insignia Four o he DCARNG rotary wing assets were not employed or used in complance wih the resticions on alr ambulance assets t appears this is due to wo misunderstandings Fist the commanders BG Ryan and in tr ARR believed the highest echelons of military and civ leadership hi ed the msson €4 86 Ryan‘ ‘special aproval comments Second IMRKiiRRREnc some of ve aviators believed that they were witin exceptions to poiey This appears t be a breatdoun of command and contra and a lack of roper baiing relate to the use of airambuiance assets Amy Requation 95—1 paragraph 3 3 provides Amy air ambulance arcrat are dedicated evacuation platforms in upport of aeromedical missions described in AR 40—3 All requests o ulize air ambulance aire fo missions other than in support oft aeromedical or humantarian relief oonll ——— — np naten RESue m HEZS Pome trs Fits ca ana tse Aasesonont eo ane IRRRRGe mon c GRRR fed Tha irs rous pass an mme jus ravi imns — Aiinitid is imisions dane in this paragraph wil be fonwarded trough ACOM ASCC DRY or ARNG to the Deputy Chef of Saf G—3 57 DAMO—AV 400 Army Pontagon Washington DG 20310—0400 for approval Nather 8G Ryan nor RRR eo rv sage ss requred by As os e roves acove Aiiliiiiietiaiiiiitattt 5 00 052 generaly be expected o do so but BG Ryan told him he had special permission‘ bath before and afte launch From his folowup texts t next day BG Ryan ncorrety beleved th use oft aircraft had been uly vetted In te nect events and pressures on the evening of 1 June 2020 B¢ n cid not ensure the usage had Indand been tity vtec vor co RRRIRRRIIIL ace ta Imtators on he mopor use of air ambulance acral to BG Ryan‘s attenion Unit members pointed o mediate acton athorly as described in NG Pamphict 9— 5 However AR 95—1 supersedes NG Pam 95 5 The uses o alr ambulance aberaft on 1 June 2020 should have been requested in accordance wih the process as deserbed in AR 051 As noted carter no oxcepton was requested Addilonaly Amy Regulation 40—3 Medical Dental and Veteinary Care paragraph 16— 5 states Clearly mark all aeromedical evacuaton areraton the nose lower per and laterl surfaces Red Cross markings wil nt be removed painted over or obscured Two air ambulance UK40s utlized that night l not bear the required SFSR Findings Al arerew members acted in good fah and executed al actvtles wihin the imision set as they understood it under he prossures of 1 June 2020 Al ambulance designated atraft were not used in complance wih AR 05—1 Addiionaly wo ofthe UK—60 ir ambulance aat utlzed were not cary marked as ai ambulances wih the Red Cross as required by AR 403 There were a number of instances noted in which ASF required documents contained errors and were notin compliance wih Amy regulations addibonaly the unit id not comply wih is oun Standard Operating Procedures e JTF CD lacked a plan to maintain command and contal wih TF—Avation assels for tha mission on the night of 1 June 2020 Wiggs 5175 HENES comas mine oon i Recommendations In view of the above findings I recommend a b ased on my inding ina ir ambulance areal were not used in compliance wi AR 96—1 I recommend that al DCARNG aviaton personnel includin their non— aviator commanders be rained on proper an authorized use of alr ambulance airera and the process o sack an excepto trom authorized uses Based on the erors noted n required documents during the course o hs investigation recommand a Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization assessment ofthe AASF to bing s operations and records management into complance with Amy requiatons Based on my finding that Mo al ambulance aire were not propery marked with he Red Cross recommend Red Cross designations be placed in accordance wih AR 40 3 as setfoth above Based on my findings tha JTF—CD lacked a plan to maintain command and conto wih TF—Aviaion assets forthe mision on the night of 1 June 2020 recommend the development and implementation of proper command and control procedures t include dedicated racio freauencios Ll reer is