LETTER TO JOHN DEUTCH FROM ILEANA ROS-LEBTINEN RE REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE SOUTH EAST AIR DEFENSE SECTOR HEADQUARTERS AT TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE IN PANAMA CITY, FLORDIA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06112367
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2019
• Case Number: F-2013-02649
• Publication Date: July 6, 1996

� COMMITTEES
� IDOCKIMAL 4077(149 96
GOVERNMENT REFORM
� �
CruUR:
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
AFRICA
�
V�CF DOA.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
The Honorable John Deutch
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D C. 20505
Dear Mr. Deutch:
Approved for Release: 2019/03/13 C06112367
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1LEANA ROS-LEHTINEN
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July 6, 1996
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DISTRICT OFFICE:
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I urge you to launch an immediate investigation into deeply disturbing reports published in the press that
the South East Air Defense Sector headquarters at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida was warned
by a Customs official in Riverside. California that two unidentified aircraft were speeding toward the Brothers to
the Rescue aircraft, which on the afternoon of February 24th were conducting a humanitarian mission over
international waters, but which were shot down, causing the death of American citizens. This new information,
combined with last Week's revelations that the Cuban M1G's flew close to 25 miles off the shores of the United
States pursuing the third Brother to the Rescue aircraft, raises serious question of why no action was taken to '
warn the Cuban MIG's to back off and no US military aircraft was launched to prevent this tragedy from
occurring.
This new information was released during the appeals hearing sought by Brothers to the Rescue President
Jose Basulto, before a National Transportation Safety Board judge. on the revocation of his pilot license The
community of South Florida is extremely Concerned on what appears to be an incident which was detected.
Although it is too late to bring back those four young men who were indiscriminately murdered that
afternoon, I believe it is important that an investigation be immediately conducted to determine if any negligence
occurred that day to prevent similar incidents from occurring � future.
Your immediate attention to this matter will be great �preciated.
Sincer
40�11-Le !men
iber of Congress
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pAr.110 Oft Aiereuto iivams
Approved for Release: 2019/03/13 C06112367