U.S.

Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Washington, D. C. 20535-0001

June 9,2004
fi\AM4us
Daniel Marcus, General Counsel
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
Suite 300
2100KStreet,N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
RE: Commission's Request for Documents
Dear Mr. Marcus:
In response to the Commissions Request for Documents, please find the
following:
Documents responsive to Document Request 35-13 -1 Packet & 1 CD-ROM;
Documents responsive to Document Request 37-5 - 4 Packets;
Documents responsive to Document Request 40-1 - 6 CD-ROMS;
Documents responsive to Document Request 47-1 & 2;
Documents responsive to Document Request 47-3;
Documents in response to Miscellaneous Request #41
[Documents In Response to Request from Commission Staffer Dieter Snell
-Documents on Fuad Bazarah] - 2ND Supplemental Packet;
• Documents in response to Miscellaneous Request #42
[Documents In Response to Request from Commission Staffer Thomas Eldridge
-Information on "Bin Laden " Family Flights That Departed the United States in
September 2001 -1 Supplemental Packet;
• Documents in response to Miscellaneous Request #52
[Documents In Response to Request from Commission
-Digitized Photo ofl Subject -Supplemental CD-ROM.

This is part of the FBI's rolling production and thus may be supplemented in the
future. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 202-324-9613.

Sincerely,

Robert S. Sinton /
Assistant General Counsel
 DOCUMENTS REQUESTED B Y
COMMISSION STAFFER
THOMAS ELDRIDGE

INFORMATION ON "BIN LADEN" FAMILY

FLIGHTS THAT DEPARTED THE UNITED
STATES IN SEPTEMBER 2001

RESPONSIVE
to
MISCELLANEOUS REQUEST #42
from COMMISSION
[SUPPLEMENTAL PACKET #1]

COMMISSION COPY
 Law Enforcement Privacy

WyV-Ql-31-2003)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Precedence: ROUTINE Date: 05/28/2004

To: Director.1 s Office ATTN: SSA'-j_

From: Louisville''-..
LexingtonXRA
Cdntact: SA
Approved By:

Drafted Ily:
Case ID #: \62F-HQ-C1 428 711 \)
Title: NATIONAL COMMISSION ON\TERRORISM,
911 TASK FORCE; \

: Synopsis: No airplane traffic at Blue Grass A'i.rport, Lexington,

\Kentucky during ho-fly period following 09/11/20Q.1 crisis.
\\Details: On 05/27/2004 Blue Grass Airport ( Lex ingtdn, Kentucky)
\JAir Traffic Ma.nagef\f Ortman was recontacted by SA 1 j
\ concerning '-allegations that fixed wing aircraft had
taken off or landed a,t Blue Grass Airport during the FAA NO-FLY
period directly following the attacks of 09/11 /'2.0 0 1 . Ortman
reiterated information'-.previously provided to SA|_ _] that no
fixed wing aircraft had\landed or taken off during the NO-FLY
period mandated by the FAA in the days following 09/11/2001. The
ortly air traffic at the a'-irport involved one or two flights by
the University of Kentucky, "Lifeline" helicopters, duly
authorized for the purpose\pf topping off fuel tanks in
preparation for emergency flights. Ortman further advised that
like every other airport in the United States, Blue Grass Airport
was\d to civilian traffic: during the referenced period.

\n 05/28/2004 D. Scott Lanter, Chief of Public Safety,

Blue'-, Grass Airport was contacted, concerning the above noted
allegations. Chief Lanter reaffirmed information provided
previously, that no fixed wing traffic landed or took off from
Blue 'Grass Airport while FAA NO-FLY directives were in place.
On 05/28/2004 retired SSA \_ was contacted
by SA concerning the above issue. SSA recalled
having extensive contacts with FBIHQ concerning the Saudi Prince
in Lexington, Kentucky for the annual Keeneland Horse Sales.

Misc. Req. #42 Supp. 000004765

j.1 Law Enforcement Privacy

'XTo: Director's Office From: Louisville

'•••-.. 'Re: 62F-HQ-C1428711, 05/28/2004

S-Qon\afterxthe FAA had suspended all civilian air traffic in the

United\ t a te'B... representatives from the Saudi Prince contacted
the\SSA'| ['-concerning how they could arrange to fly the
..Prince's son frortK.Florida, where he attended college to
'Lexington, Kentucky'",--... then how he could depart the United States
as soon\as possible. '"--They were concerned about their security.
They hadXbeen transported to the U.S. via private Gulfstream IV,
ta\Le number HZAFW, which '"had then left the U.S. with plans to
ret.urn afte'r the horse sales'.--
SSA'I I believed the'-.FAA first opened air traffic to
fexit ''the U.S. 'only, but would not a'l-iow air traffic into the U.S.
This prevented the Saudi Gulfstream from flying to Lexington,
Kentucky to pick up the Saudi group. Arrangements were made by
the Sau'dis to charter a Boeing 727 from Florida to fly to
Lexington, Kentucky and take them to Gander,'"-••Newfoundland, then
on Vto Europe and Saudi Arabia. Contacts with an SSA at FBIHQ
(whipse nairie was not recalled) coordinated this departure to occur
as sbon as\e FAA had authorized air traffic. SSA'-| I
further noted that during the hectic days following 09/11/2001,
he sppke with several supervisors at FBIHQ concerning these
issues, but did not keep specific records.
SSA 1 I also recalled he was advised by FBIHQ to
coordinate with U.S. Customs at Blue Grass Airport and insure
that only passengers who were not on the Terrorist Watch List
; were allowed to board the airplane. On 09/16/2001 the chartered
\7 was Jflown to Lexington, Kentucky. A walk through search was
^conducted, of the Saudi plane by U.S. Customs, assisted by SA
I \o insure only identified flight crew were
present. '-Passports were then checked for all Saudi nationals who
boarded the airplane to insure none were listed on the Watch
List. The 'plane then was cleared for departure by the Blue Grass
tower and the FAA. This departure occurred at least a day after
FAA authorization for commercial flight was announced in the
media. Similar procedures had been used in clearing the
departing flights carrying citizens of the U.A.E. on 09/15/2001.

SSA | | further advised it was his understanding

that the FBI had no reason or jurisdiction to prevent either of
the foreign groups from departing the U.S. The only reason for
FBI presence at the airport was to assist the U.S. Customs in
assuring no one from the Terrorist Watch List attempted to
utilize these planes for escape from the U.S.

Misc. Req. #42 Supp. 000004766

 To: Director's Of nee From: Louisville
Re: 62F-HQ-C1428711, 05/28/2004

LEAD(s) :

Set Lead 1: (Info)

D I R E C T O R ' S OFFICE

AT QEEOA S P U , DC
Read and clear.

Misc. Req. #42 Supp. 000004767

 ALL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
PERTAINING TO THE DEPARTURE OF SAUDI
ARABIAN NATIONALS FROM THE UNITED
STATES ON SEPTEMBER 13 AND
SEPTEMBER 14, 2001.

FINAL DRAFT of RESPONSE to OCTOBER

2003 VANITY FAIR ARTICLE
(RE: BINLADEN FAMILY DEPARTURES
AFTER 09/11/2001)

RESPONSIVE
to
REQUEST #14-4

"SECRET MATERIAL ENCLOSED"

"THIS PACKET CONTAINS SENSITIVE CRIMINAL

AND/OR INTELLIGENCE INFORMA TION PERTAINING
TO TERRORISM RELATED INVESTIGATIONS"

COMMISSION COPY

NCTA000088227
Chartered flight for Saudi Arabian group out of Lexington. Kentucky
• On Sunday, September 16. 2001, at 4:30 p.m., a chartered luxury Boeing 727 aircraft
landed at the airport in Lexington, Kentucky. The flight was chartered through Jetlease
USA, 3700 Airport Road. Suite 204, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, telephone number 561-
362-8282.
«.
• After boarding its passengers, the chartered flight departed the United States during the
evening hours of Sunday, September 16, 2001.

• The passengers included the following fourteen (14) individuals, none of which were
juveniles:
H.R.H. Prince Ahmed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz
H.R.H. Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Salman Abdulaziz
Ahmad O.H. Al-Biebi
Hashim Abdelmagid Bashir
Ali Ben Moliamed Aouni
Jesus Calda
Jack Rusbridge
• Salah Al-Hammadi
• Ehab Abuagla Salirn Moliamed
Ahmed A.M. Al-Hazmi
Talal M.M. Al-Mejrad
Mohamed Osman Ahmed El-Marazki
Aboulsalam A.M. Al-Haddad
Faiiad A.A. Al Zeid

• The plane was scheduled to fly to Goose Bay, Labrador for refueling prior to continuing
on to London, England, and then to Saudi Arabia.

• Searches/investigative steps:
Prior to departure, FBI Louisville agents together with an officer from US
Customs checked the crew from Florida and inspected the aircraft. During
boarding, each passenger was identified by passport by a US Customs officer.
Only the 14 passengers listed above boarded the chartered 727.

Note:
Prior to September 11, 2001, a group of Saudi Arabian nationals traveled to
Lexington, KY. to attend the Keeneland horse auctions. Following the terrorist
attacks, members of this group made several unsuccessful attempts to gain
authorization for the usual Saudi government airplane to enter the United States.
As a result, the group made arrangements for a chartered luxury Boeing 727 from
Florida to fly to Lexington. KY.

9/11 Personal Privacy

REQ 14-4 OOOQQOOll

NCTA000088239
 9/11 Personal Privacy

Other Agencies involved:

US Customs, Lexington, KY Police Department

REQ 14-4 000000012

NCTA000088240
 WITHDRAWAL NOTICE

RG: 148 Exposition, Anniversary, and Memorial Commissions

SERIES: 9/11 Commission Team 5, FRC Box 31
NND PROJECT NUMBER: 51095 FOIA CASE NUMBER: 30383

WITHDRAWAL DATE: 11/19/2008

BOX: 00009 FOLDER: 0038 TAB: 3 DOC ID: 31206264

COPIES: 1 PAGES:

RESTRICTED|_|
The item identified below has been withdrawn from this file:

FOLDER TITLE: Jetlease USA Charter-Lexington 9/16/01

DOCUMENT DATE: DOCUMENT TYPE: Memorandum

FROM:

TO:

SUBJECT: "Documents relating to all flight manifests for the following aricraft that departed the |
US in 9/2001 with Saudi nationals: Responsive to Requests #30-1 a thru f [Packet
#l]"-re Lexington Airport

This document has been withdrawn for the following reason(s):

9/11 Classified Information

WITHDRAWAL NOTICE
 yf^tfrf^t.
I y I is\

ENTS RELATING
to
&NIFESTS FOR THE
CRAFT THAT
STATES IN
ffimOl WITH SA UDI

WHICH
' " '

. KENTUCKY
-^

SEPTEMBER 16. 200

VESTS #30-1 b
[{PACKET #1]

-f" COMMISSION COPY

9/11 Law Enforcement Privacy

265 D\Y- 2 8 03 5,0 - LS.

JCM: j cm ""--,.. ""•"-.,..
Lead Control Number LS1-9.7
1

The following investigation: -was conducted by

Supervisory Senior Resident Agent ..(SSRA) I 1 and
Special Agent (SA) | |' concerning the departure
of a Saudi Arabian group in Lexington, -Kentucky, for the
Keeneland horse auction. ""-•-.

^^____^ Beginning on September 14, 2001, SSRA'I I SA

I ~| and the Lexington Resident Agency became aware that a
group of Saudi Arabian nationals had come to Lexington,
Kentucky, for purposes of attending the Keeneland horse
auctions. In light of the September 1, 2001 terrorist events,
this group desperately wanted to depart the United- States for
Saudi Arabia. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to obtain
authorization for the usual Saudi Arabian government airplane
(Gulfstream 4) to enter the United States, the group made
arrangements for a chartered luxury Boeing 727 from Florida to
fly to Lexington, Kentucky. After several delays this plane
arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, at 4:30 p.m. on September 16,
2001.

The Saudi Arabian gro-up was headed by H.R.H. Prince

Ahmed Bin Dalman Bin Abdulaziz. It also included his son,
H.R.H. Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who
had arrived from Florida with three companions on the evening
of
September 13, 2001. The following list was provided by group
coordinator Amad O.H. Al-Biebi of those which would be
departing on the chartered flight:

H.R.H. Prince Ahmed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz

Ahmad O.H. Al-Biebi
Hashim Abdelmagid Bashir
Ali Ben Mohamed Aouni
Jesus Calda
Jack Rusbridge
Salah Al-Hammadi
Ehab Abuagla Salim Mohamed
Ahmed A. M. Al-Hazmi
Talal M.M. Al-Mejrad
Anthony John Stafford (he departed earlier)
Mohamed Osman Ahmed El-Marazki

REQ. 30-lb 000000001

il Law Enforcement Privacy

Aboulsalam A. M. Al-Haddad
.Fahad A.A. Al Zeid
H:R.. H. Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Salman Abdulaziz

2 6'5.D-NY\8'Q 3,50 -L5, '"•---...

2 \ '"---... '""•---.....

Phptoeppies of,all passports were'-obtained. When

the plane arrived, the crew was checked and it'was inspected
.by SSRA'1 I SA | | and U.S. Customs officer"! I
I I for any undeclared passengers, prior to anyone
boarding. During'boarding, each passenger was identified by
passport by officer'] ~|/ with SA I I observing. Only
the fourteen individuals noted above (not including Stafford
who had taken an earlier flight) boarded the chartered 727.
The plane was scheduled to fly to Goose Bay, Labrador for
refueling prior to continuing on to London, England, and then
to Saudi Arabia.

The chartered plane was obtained from Jetlease USA,

3700 Airport Road, Suite 204, Boca Raton, Florida 33431,
telephone number 561-362-8282.

Lexington Police officers hired as private security

for the Saudi group advised four young men had flown up from
Florida to be transported with Prince Abdulaziz to Saudi
Arabia. One of the four was the Prince's son, Sultan Bin
Fahad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz. Accompanying him were three
young men including Fahad A.A. Al-Zied, Talal M.M. Al-Mejrad,
and Ahmed A. M. Al-Hazmi. The Prince's son has a diplomatic
passport. His passport 1-94 indicated he had entered the U.S.
on August 25, 2001. Lexington Police Detective Chris White
advised the Prince and one of his companions were attending
the American Language Academy, University of Tampa. The other
two were either staff or companions of the Prince. Al-Zeid
and Al-Mejrad (age 18) entered the U.S. on August 27, 2001.

When questioned, group coordinator Al-Biebi advised

Al-Hazmi's full name is Ahmad Abdulrahman Mohamed Al-Hazmi.
His name is similar, but not identical to Security Directive
List #s 016 and 017. Al-Hazmi entered the U.S. on July 25,
2001. In addition, his passport indicated he had entered the
U.S. on January 23, 2001, at New York.

Attached are photocopies of all passports of this

traveling Saudi group.

REQ. 30-lb 000000002