Chris Mackey - The Interrogators: Inside the Secret War Against Al Qaeda

Copyright 2004 by Chris Mackey and Greg Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Warner Books

Hachette Book Group

237 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Visit our Web site at www.HachetteBookGroup.com.

The Warner Books name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

ISBN: 978-0-7595-1109-5

First eBook Edition: July 2004

To the memory of Sgt. David Travis Friedrich, who fell fighting for his country in Iraq and never failed to Put New England First

And to Kerri Miller, for her patience and unwavering support

Aier, Hafiz British prisoner who spoke flawless Arabic.

Atley, Tim Specialist, 500th MI Battalion (Fort Gordon, Georgia). Mackey translated for Atley (a Spanish linguist) the first time he confronted a prisoner. Later played opposite Singhal during the interrogation of the brothers with a missile in their basement.

Berrara, Jim Specialist, interrogator (Russian linguist), 325th MI Battalion (Reserves). A member of Mackeys reserve unit and part of the relief unit sent to replace Task Force 500 in August.

Booker, Luke Major, Colorado national guardsman who joined Task Force 500 in February as an Uzbek linguist. His mature appearance made him a successful character actorhe became an FBI agent whenever an approach called for such a prop.

Carlson, Jamie Specialist, analyst, 500th MI Battalion. Part of the original Task Force 500 element in Afghanistan and responsible (at age nineteen) for analysis and research related to interrogations.

Cassidy, Evan Staff sergeant, interrogator (German linguist), L.A. National Guard. Cassidy was left at Kandahar after major interrogation operations were concluded; he eventually rejoined what was left of the main body of the task force when Kandahar was completely closed in July.

Cathcart, David Sergeant, interrogator (Russian linguist), 103rd MI Battalion. Cathcart was part of the Serial 93 element that originally deployed to Kandahar.

Cavanaugh, Tom Sergeant, interrogator (Russian linguist), 519th MI Battalion (Airborne). Fitzgerald dubbed him the Celtic Warrior Reborn, and this tall Philadelphian used his imposing sizecoupled with a booming voiceto great advantage. Although critics called his technique one-dimensional, his energetic tactics were almost the sole source of success in the earliest days of the deployment.

Corcoran, Dan Specialist, interrogator (Arabic linguist), 519th MI Battalion (Airborne).

Dawson, Kim Warrant officer class 2 (sergeant major), serving with the intelligence corps of one of our coalition allies. Leading his countrys interrogation section, Kim spent most of his time in the U.S. Facility. His experience was broad and included service in counterterrorism operations in East Timor.

Davis, Ben Sergeant, interrogator (Arabic), 103rd MI Battalion. The quiet Cape Codder was one of the finest interrogators and a top Arabic linguist, noted for his unnervingly careful delivery during questioning. Prisoners could not know his most potent weapon was his capacity for forensic research.

Eamon Civilian, FBI.

Ellis, Bill Warrant officer class 2 (sergeant major), member of one of our major coalition allies military intelligence teams and their senior interrogator in Bagram. Ellis literally wrote the book on his countrys interrogation techniques. His vast experience and good nature made him an invaluable asset to the U.S. interrogators.

Fields, Specialist Specialist, interrogator, Arabic linguist, 500th MI Battation. Fields led the interrogation of Ghul Jan while he was still in Bagram; when he got too close to the prisoner, both Fields and Ghul Jan came to Kandahar, where Fitzgerald took overbefore being replaced himself by Lillian, an agent from OGA.

Finch, Lt. Executive officer of C Company, 500th MI Battalion. Took over as company commander when Rawles left the theater due to illness.

Fitzgerald, Geoff Sergeant, interrogator (Arabic linguist), 325th MI Battalion (Reserves). A highly talented interrogator, Fitzgerald was friends with Mackey from Fordham University. His larger-than-life personality and renowned humor made him a major personality among the interrogators.

Gibbs, Kate Major, engineers, unit affiliation unknown. Replaced Vaughn and Hartmann as the liaison between the interrogators and the Joint Working Group.

Grenauld, Jamie Staff sergeant, interrogator (Russian linguist), 323rd MI Battalion (Reserves). Day-shift senior interrogator at Kandahar.

Guilford, First Sergeant Most senior sergeant in A Company, 500th MI Battalion. In charge of beans and bullets (day-to-day operations) in Bagram.

Harper, Paul Sergeant, counterintelligence agent, 500th MI Battalion. Assigned to detainee operations as a high side (top secret-level clearance) analyst. At Bagram he also questioned detainees connected with suspected acts of espionage. Fianc to Walker.

Hartmann, Major Major, Judge Advocate General Corps, V Corps. A reservist from New York, Hartmann was the main liaison between the Joint Working Group and the Facilitys interrogators.

Hasegawa, Henry Ritsuo (Haas) Sergeant, interrogator (Spanish linguist), 519th MI Battalion (Airborne). Because of lack of Arabic, Hasegawa started his deployment as the clerk in the ICE. He eventually teamed up with Davis (and then later Kampf) to become perhaps the most talented interrogator in the task force. His stamina, ruthless questioning style, and relentless desire to support combat operations were unparalleled.

Heaney, Gary Sergeant, interrogator (Arabic linguist), 323rd MI Battalion (Reserves). Heaney took over prisoner in-processing when the great Shami left and developed his own trademarks of fear-inspiring screening. He was the first interrogator new prisoners would encounter.

Hedder, Paul Staff sergeant, interrogator (Russian linguist), 519th MI Battalion (Airborne). Replaced the author as senior interrogator in August 2002.

Holmes, Mark Major, 519th MI Battalion (Airborne). Leader of the advance party that paved the way for Task Force 500s replacements in August 2002.

Howe, John Warrant officer 4. The liaison officer between signals intelligence and the interrogators.

Irvine, Chris Warrant officer 2, 519th MI Battalion (Airborne). Daytime shift officer-in-charge of the ICE in Kandahar. Known to Fitzgerald as the ratmaster.

John Civilian, FBI.

Kampf, Ethan Sergeant, interrogator (Arabic linguist), 519th MI Battalion (Airborne). One of the top interrogators and best linguists, Kampf was among the team that pioneered new interrogation techniques to break the toughest prisoners.

Kane, Jim