You laser use analysis matches mine.
Much of this timeline and decision tree I ascribe to the “cross border authority” uber-dichotomy. The QRF from Tripoli was already in-country, so CIA could “follow the evolving ROE” and just send them to Benghazi almost or entirely under “local control.” That is, the station chief (buy you a beer any day) just said, “Roll them! GO!”
And I would expect that the “QRF” will turn out to be a motley ad-hoc collection of contractors and spooks and techs and I-can’t-imagine-what who just manned up, armored up, grabbed their M-4s and shit and went charging out the door, and just piled into the CIA charter plane and they WENT. I'll bet there was no formal “QRF/Tripoli,” but just “who can get on the next thing smoking—Benghazi is under attack!”
And some mighty fine Americans stepped up and went, and as a cosmic result, there was a Benghazi linkup between two old frogs, can just freaking imagine? Under fire, down range, in Benghazi of all places! (HOO F-ING YAH to that, my brothers!)
And Obama wouldn't send rescue forces, already on the way at full steam ahead.
Some good men are dead,
Because Obama went to bed.
Agreed, they used the Tripoli assets because they did not need any permission, they were already in Libya. That said, the best we could muster was 8 guys? Obama was in the Oval Office during the initial assault with Panetta and Biden. The Defense Secretary asks you...”Mr. President, should we send some special ops guys to Benghazi?” Obama....”Nah, let Hillary and Petraeus handle it, I’m going to watch some Sons of Anarchy on FX”