U.S. diplomat overseeing "Havana Syndrome" response leaving after 6 months
CBSN
Washington — Ambassador Pamela Spratlen, the senior official leading the State Department's response to cases of "Havana Syndrome" reported by U.S. diplomats, is leaving her post after six months in the role, the department confirmed Wednesday.
"Ambassador Spratlen earlier this year agreed to return to the Department to take on the role, created by Secretary Blinken, of Senior Advisor of the Health Incidents Response Task Force," a State Department spokesperson said. Spratlen had "reached the threshold of hours of labor" permitted under her status as a retired ambassador, the official said, adding her replacement would be named "soon."
"We thank her for her service and invaluable contributions to the efforts of the Task Force," the spokesperson said. Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Brian McKeon will continue to oversee the task force's efforts.
Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.