(2006-0649-F) Terry Schwalier - United States Airforce

The materials in 2006-0649-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA request 2006-0649-F contains records dealing with Brigadier General Terryl Schwalier and the terrorist bombing at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in June 1996. This collection consists almost entirely of press summaries and briefings. There is very little in the way of revelatory or groundbreaking documents that would be beneficial to the researcher. The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) contains just one record. The material found here concerns General Schwalier and the actions he failed to take to increase security measures at the Khobar Towers compound in the period preceding the terrorist attack. A report entitled “Personal Accountability for Force Protection at Khobar Towers” (complete with executive summary and appendix) is open and can be perused in detail. However, this same report is readily available online. The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) Emails focus primarily on two documents in which General Schwalier receives only a brief mention. There is a transcript of a press briefing by Mike McCurry on July 31, 1997 in which the denial of promotion to Schwalier because of Khobar Towers gets discussed in passing. Also, a transcript of a “McLaughlin Group” program for December 27-28, 1997 contains references to end-of-the-year awards, with Schwalier receiving “Bummest Rap of the Year” for taking the fall for Khobar Towers. The NSC Cable and Email Systems contain multiple copies (with revisions) of Press Guidance for December 12, 1996. Various topics are covered, including the Khobar Towers bombing. Mention is made of the press dealing with the possible involvement of Iran in the episode. The press briefer is instructed to say an investigation is ongoing and no conclusion has been reached about what role (if any) Iran may have had in the attack against the American base.