The loss of 30 US troops is a tragedy, and a great reminder that there are people who will give their life for our freedoms. So, why do we disrespect them by breaking a code of silence around their identity. Since OBL was killed by US Special Operations madison avenue and the media are hyping T-shirts, bumper stickers, movies etc all in an effort to make money and some cool new brand. Disney actually tried to trademark the name. Given how hard our nation has worked to destroy radical islam and terrorists like OBL, some hype is called for, but......
The Navy Seals and other US forces need to operate covertly. Their success is a result of stealth and deception. They are always a little ahead of the bad guys, but not a lot ahead. They are always under attack. Outside of every military base, in every military bar near the base, in the local stores, the local landlords, and within the vicinity of all military operations the Russians, Chinese, and other intelligence forces are camped out gathering even the smallest bit of information. They gather this intelligence for military and economic advantage. These little bits of information are stitched together with other bits to get a bigger picture of how our forces operate, who leads our forces, their family members, etc. Our enemies are making attempts every day to bribe, blackmail and infiltrate our operations. The Chinese and Russians would gladly provide this information to the most radical terrorists if it further entrenched the US in Afghanistan and Iraq.
So, it comes as quite a surprise that someone would disclose that 22 Seal Team Six members were killed in Action in Afghanistan. It was frankly a shock when Vice President Biden named the senior team leaders in a public forum. There is no reason to help the enemy with propaganda like "Taliban kills Navy Seals that got OBL".
I can't figure out if the White House has poor operational security, if they are stupid, or maybe they just don't get it. Either way, its incredibly irresponsible. Loose lips sink ships.
UPDATE:Intelligence indicates the Shoot Down incident was a trap set by Taliban to take down a Chinook Helicopter. This is perhaps evidence that with enough intelligence gathering the Taliban understood that the Seals would be on board, and a shoot down would be good retaliation for taking out OBL. It also suggests that Taliban has counter intel capability that induced Seals to come out on a hunt for a phantom "Taliban Leader".
Off course by definition every mission must anticipate the Taliban is ready to counter attack. US forces have killed off the dumb Taliban, so tactics get a lot tougher. Some serious questions need to be answered:
- Why was the Quick Reaction Force all on one helicopter?
- Where were the Little Birds?
- Why were they flying a CH-47 instead of better equipped special ops MH-47
- Why was the pilot regular Army instead of specially trained special ops Night Stalkers (160th)?
- Why was this mission flown during the day?
- Who at SOCOM planned this mission?
- Did Rules of engagement (Don't hurt innocents) force us into a dangerous day time mission?
- Did National Command authorities push for use of more Special Forces, to mitigate troop losses, actually unnecessarily expose troops in an Ad-Hoc mission?
- Why is there so much after action "Chatting" about the mission - is someone who screwed up trying to change the subject?