Bin Laden = Dead

[pk500]

The fact he was killed in a firefight makes it even better. He heard it coming.

Amen! It's amazing how much more satisfying that makes things.

I'm starting a list of morons telling me how wrong it is to celebrate someone's death, btw. I'm an old man yet still surprised at some people's lack of understanding of evil.

The guy was an enemy combatant, the leader of our enemy in a war. If people can't comprehend that, then we really have gone soft as a nation.

[Naples39]

Naples I just heard on the radio that the Al Jazeera picture of the shot up OBL is fake.

Yeah, I'm not surprised actually about the picture itself, though it was reported last night that he was shot in the head.

[Slumberland]

[Gurantsu]

The guy was an enemy combatant, the leader of our enemy in a war. If people can't comprehend that, then we really have gone soft as a nation.

Yeah, I never quite understood that stance. There are bad people in the world. I mean, REALLY bad people. And when there are, good people have to sacrifice a lot to get rid of them. It's just a sad fact, humans aren't always nice. And as much as I would love it, the whole "peace in our time"-tree-hugging just won't happen, except on very small scales.

[Jackdog]

Interesting read.

What happened in the takedown of Osama bin Laden was the pinnacle of years of intelligence work which included the CIA, the NGA, and the NSA, according to White House senior administration officials' reports which chronicle the details below:

It began with the CIA following leads on those bin Laden considered his closest. Detainees post-9/11 gave information on individuals who had been directly aiding bin Laden and his deputy after they left Afghanistan.

The detainees turned over one courier's nickname who featured a repulsive resume: he was the student of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and an assistant to Al Qaeda's former number 3, Abu Faraj al-Libbi. Even more important, this courier was one of few trusted by bin Laden and possibly was living with him and protecting him.

For years, however, the courier's real name and location remained a secret from the U.S. Then, four years ago, his name was discovered. Two years later, the U.S. also discovered his areas of operation in Pakistan, though his living quarters eluded U.S. intel, which in itself was a further indication to the U.S. that they were pursuing something worthwhile.

In August 2010, that home was finally discovered. It's interesting to note that the White House report describes the area as somewhat affluent and a place with much retired military. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Al Qaeda's #3 were also captured in settled areas of the country. The sight of the 3-story, $1 million living residence surprised the U.S.: it was on a large area of land, approximately eight times larger than the other residences there. It had 12 to 18-foot walls with barbed wire perched on top. It also had internal wall sections. Those who lived there reportedly burned their trash (unlike their neighbors, who put the trash out to be picked up), and the compound's entrances were two security gates. The 3rd floor terrace had a 7-foot privacy wall. It also had no interent or telephone service connected. The courier (and his brother) did not have an "explainable source of wealth." At the time it was built (2005), it was relatively isolated, but other homes have since built up close by.

Then U.S. intelligence discovered there was another family living in the compound in addition to those of the two brothers. This family fit the description consistent with that which the U.S. expected would be accompanying bin Laden.

But the U.S. wanted to be sure, so it conducted red team exercises and analyzed the intel from every angle. The results consistently pointed to the secret inside the compound being Osama bin Laden.

Meanwhile, the operation to take out bin Laden had been under preparation for months, with regular briefings for President Obama. In September of last year (approximately a month after the compound location was discovered), the president and the CIA began to work "on a set of assessments" that resulted in the U.S.'s belief that bin Laden could indeed be in the compound. By mid-February, the intelligence basis justified plotting a course of action for getting bin Laden at that location. From March 14th to April 29th, the president chaired at least five National Security Council meetings on the mission. He gave the final order for the now famous mission on the morning of April 29th (at least one American who probably wasn't watching the royal wedding live).

The mission that took bin Laden out was a collaboration between intelligence agencies and the U.S. military. A small U.S. team made a helicopter raid on the compound. The White House report details the dangers associated with the task: high walls, security setup, the relatively settled location, and it being only 35 miles north of Islamabad.

It took the U.S. team under 40 minutes in the compound to do its work. The only loss the U.S. sustained was one of the two helicopters used in the raid -- the crew members were able to board the remaining helicopter to get out. The total death toll was four adult males killed -- bin Laden, and supposedly the two couriers and bin Laden's son-- and one woman, who one of the men used as a human shield. Two women were also injured in the attack.

Bin Laden, who resisted the assault force, met his death in a firefight by the most well-trained military in the world -- a testament to the great country he tried so hard to destroy.

[Naples39]

I read another account that said the attack helicopter bringing in the team, stalled, landed, and couldn't be restarted. The raid went forward without a working helicopter to get the raiders out.

Also apparently the US didn't notify Pakistan, and Pakistan actually scrambled jets to intercept the US choppers, but were too late.

Sounds like this was a pretty ballsy op.

[Jackdog]

I read another account that said the attack helicopter bringing in the team, stalled, landed, and couldn't be restarted. The raid went forward without a working helicopter to get the raiders out.

Also apparently the US didn't notify Pakistan, and Pakistan actually scrambled jets to intercept the US choppers, but were too late.

Sounds like this was a pretty ballsy op.

Yes it did. Those men had one mission. I don't believe they gave a s*** about coming back as long as they got their man. Pretty intense.

[Diablo25]

I can only imagine what was going through the mind of the Seal that had Bin Laden in his crosshairs and then dropped his ass. Must have been something. A Great Day.

[JackB1]

Powerful patriotic speech by Obama. Credit to our military for hunting his a** for almost 10 years and never giving up. F*** **U Osama bin Laden.

Agreed...it was a very "presidential" speech and one I completely agreed with. Obama did well on this and deserves credit. Out Navy Seals again demonstrate why they are one of THE Elite Special Forces Teams....Well done USA!

Great speech by the Pres. Also kudos to him for "patting himself on the back" a little, saying he has made this a high priority since getting into office and that they have had their eye on this compound since Aug 2010. He deserves some positive vibes for this and hopefully it will help to erase the whole dem vs rep thing for awhile since EVERY AMERICAN can rejoice in the death of the man who too credit for killing thousands of innocent Americans.

[Lancer]

CBS News came up with a mock up animation of the op. The animation is a bit crude but only thing I could find on the net. I'm sure those Taiwan guys who did the TW animations will come up with something better.


Go to 38 seconds in.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7364627n

[vader29]

I'm sure those Taiwan guys who did the TW animations will come up with something better.

[Lancer]

LOL! That was great. Especially him getting F'd over in the afterlife.

These guys have raised the bar on these, excellent work.

I liked the Trump birther one they have there too.

[Brando70]

I read another account that said the attack helicopter bringing in the team, stalled, landed, and couldn't be restarted. The raid went forward without a working helicopter to get the raiders out.

Also apparently the US didn't notify Pakistan, and Pakistan actually scrambled jets to intercept the US choppers, but were too late.

Sounds like this was a pretty ballsy op.

The White House, intelligence community, and military did a great job keeping this under wraps and more importantly not notifying Pakistan.

The operation details are really amazing. I love that those assholes in the compound not only heard the gunfire but also the balls of those SEALs clanging together.

[MizzouRah]

It was great hearing about this yesterday, so long you piece of s***.

[Gurantsu]

SEAL Team Six is in Dam Neck, Virginia, which is where I went to my Intelligence Specialist A School. I seem to remember a guy from my class going to them after he graduated (I moved on to other training so stayed in Dam Neck at school for a few months longer).

Lots of work still to do, but thank god he's gone, the bastard.

[F308GTB]

I must be in some sort of minority, and my wife is too based on our dinner conversation. Her mother was freaking out over the event, but personally I was a bit "meh". I mean he was a bad dude, but honestly it seemed that part of the world had moved on a bit. OBL didn't have nearly the "street cred" in the last few years as before. The recent events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, etc changed things a bit and in some respects showed how irrelevant the Al Qaeda organization is currently. I can certainly understand the closure some are feeling today, and for those that are healed by this, good for them.

Now for a tactical strike, impressive. I heard on the news that the Pres and his staff were monitoring the situation. It reminded me of one of the Clancy movies, I think Patriot Games, where the infrared images were shown half a world away for a quick in-and-out operation.

[Diablo25]

I love that those assholes in the compound not only heard the gunfire but also the balls of those SEALs clanging together.

Great stuff. I had a nice chuckle.

[Naples39]

I must be in some sort of minority, and my wife is too based on our dinner conversation. Her mother was freaking out over the event, but personally I was a bit "meh". I mean he was a bad dude, but honestly it seemed that part of the world had moved on a bit. OBL didn't have nearly the "street cred" in the last few years as before. The recent events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, etc changed things a bit and in some respects showed how irrelevant the Al Qaeda organization is currently. I can certainly understand the closure some are feeling today, and for those that are healed by this, good for them.

Now for a tactical strike, impressive. I heard on the news that the Pres and his staff were monitoring the situation. It reminded me of one of the Clancy movies, I think Patriot Games, where the infrared images were shown half a world away for a quick in-and-out operation.

Heh, thought the same thing about the scene in Patriot Games.

As for direct effects of getting Osama, upon further reflection his death might be the beginning of the end for al-queda. It's not gonna end terrorism, but as for al-queda itself, which is really a loose mostly inspirational network, it could be dead as we know it.

[Smurfy]

Someone's gotta put the OBL assassination in their next video game.

It could become even bigger than blowing up the Death Star.

[Teal]

Congratulations to SEAL team 6, the intelligence gathering community, and 10+years of never giving up. Realistically, he's not a big fish anymore. Symbolically, it's a huge get. Kudos, men. Job well done.

[toonarmy]

They keep saying his house is a $1 million house. Really? 1 mil must not go very far in Pakistan if that is the case. Even with the security measures and walls I do not see how that POS house could possibly cost 1 mil. And here I've been thinking all this time that Pakistan is a poor nation.

[TheGamer2]

I wish we could see all of the intelligence that was recovered in this place. He had to have all the information on al Quaeda, different cells throughout the world, and even "rival" terrorist organizations. I think this strikes a major blow if our intelligence is able to decipher everything. Terrorism will never go away, but I think we get a lot of them now.

[Lancer]

Its amazing w/ the technology today the President had REAL TIME audio and video feed of everything that was going on. That is amazing.

I wonder if they will ever release that video. Probably not, maybe in say 2050.

News is saying they shot him once in his eye and once in the chest. Good shooting!

They're going to make movies of this for the next 20 years.

[TheGamer2]

Info about the team that took him down:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/160332/js ... -bin-laden

[Jimmydeicide]

10 years. Trillions of dollars. Thousands of soldiers dead. State of the art technology. The U.S. finally found Bin Laden.....

In his House.