Forward Operating Base Chapman

See also: Camp Chapman attack

Soldiers pose at FOB Chapman in July 2002.

Forward Operating Base Chapman, also called Camp Chapman, is a military base located at the site of a former Afghan army installation that is currently being used by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.

On December 30, 2009, the Camp Chapman attack was executed by a suicide bomber who was a double agent loyal to Islamist extremists. Seven people employed by or affiliated with the CIA, as well as a Jordanian intelligence officer, died in the attack.

Forward Operating Base Chapman is situated in the vicinity of Camp Salerno, a large military base used by U.S. special operations forces.^[1][2] The base is named for Sergeant First Class Nathan Chapman, the first U.S. soldier killed by enemy fire during the Afghanistan war, in 2002.^[2][3][4][5] Chapman was killed while fighting alongside the CIA.^[4]

The CIA's base in Khost was set up at the beginning of the U.S.-led offensive against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in 2001, and began as an improvised center for operations.^[6] A military base at the beginning, it was later transformed into a CIA base, a U.S. official said.^[7] According to a U.S. military source, Forward Operating Base Chapman was also used as a base for the Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team, a military-led development group.^[8] According to a CNN report, this team left some time ago, however, the Wall Street Journal reports that the base still houses the team, as well as a small military contingent.^[9][10] In recent years, the base, one of the most secretive and highly guarded locations in Afghanistan, evolved into a major counterterrorism hub of the CIA's paramilitary Special Activities Division, used for joint operation with CIA, military special operations forces and Afghan allies, and had a housing compound for U.S. intelligence officers.^{[2][6][11][12]}

U.S. bases in Khost, in particular Camp Salerno, have frequently been targeted by insurgents. In most cases, however, suicide attackers do not succeed in getting past the main entrance of a base.^[13] According to U.S. officials, Forward Operating Base Chapman appears to have implemented less stringent security measures that other U.S. military bases, aiming at establishing trust with informants.^[14] Subjecting informants to mistrust and excessive suspicion would reduce the amount of information received from them.^[15]

References

1. ^ Oppel, Richard A.; Mazzetti, Mark; Mekhennet (January 4, 2010). "Behind Afghan Bombing, an Agent With Many Loyalties". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/world/asia/05cia.html. Retrieved January 5, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Warrick, Joby; Constable, Pamela (January 1, 2010). "CIA base attacked in Afghanistan supported airstrikes against al-Qaeda, Taliban". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/31/AR2009123100541.html?hpid=topnews. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
3. ^ Youssef, Nancy A. (December 31, 2009). "Taliban infiltrator who killed 7 from CIA wore Afghan uniform". McClatchy. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/81543.html. Retrieved January 1, 2009. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Meek, James Gordon (January 1, 2010). "Suicide bombing at CIA camp in Afghanistan likely revenge attack by Taliban warlord - a former ally". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/01/01/2010-01-01_suicide_bombing_at_cia_camp_in_afghanistan_likely_revenge_attack_by_taliban_warl.html. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
5. ^ Mazzetti, Mark (December 31, 2009). "C.I.A. Takes On Bigger and Riskier Role on Front Lines". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/world/asia/01khost.html. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Gorman, Siobhan (January 1, 2010). "Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan Devastates Critical Hub for CIA Activities". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126225941186711671.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
7. ^ Shah, Amir (December 31, 2009). "CIA Director: 7 CIA Workers Killed In Afghanistan". Associated Press. http://kdka.com/wireapnational/Taliban.claim.suicide.2.1398406.html. Retrieved January 1, 2010. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ Starkey, Jerome (January 1, 2001). "Afghan suicide bomber kills seven CIA agents after attacking base". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/Afghanistan/article6972266.ece. Retrieved January 2, 2009. ^{[dead link]}
9. ^ "Source: 2 killed in Afghanistan bombing were security contractors". CNN. December 31, 2009. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/31/afghanistan.us.casualties/. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
10. ^ Gopal, Anand (January 2, 2010). "Taliban: CIA Attack Was Retaliation for Drone Strikes". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126246258911313617.html. Retrieved January 2, 2010. 
11. ^ Sengupta, Kim (January 1, 2010). "Suicide attack inflicts worst death toll on CIA in 25 years". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/suicide-attack-inflicts-worst-death-toll-on-cia-in-25-years-1854762.html. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
12. ^ Smith, Adèle (January 1, 2010). "La CIA perd sept espions sur une base secrète". Le Figaro. http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2010/01/02/01003-20100102ARTFIG00141-la-cia-perd-sept-espions-sur-une-base-secrete-.php. Retrieved January 2, 2010. 
13. ^ Rubin, Alissa J.; Mazzetti, Mark (December 31, 2009). "Afghan Base Hit by Attack Has Pivotal Role in Conflict". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/world/asia/01afghan.html. Retrieved January 1, 2010. 
14. ^ Gorman, Siobhan; Dreazen, Yochi J. (January 2, 2010). "Killings Rock Afghan Strategy". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126239278820413095.html. Retrieved January 2, 2010. 
15. ^ Rajghatta, Chidanand (January 3, 2010). "Pak tribesman killed 7 CIA agents and trust". Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Pak-tribesman-killed-7-CIA-agents-and-trust/articleshow/5407756.cms. Retrieved January 3, 2010.