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THE CONSERVATIVE REVIEW - May 3, 2011
From Start to Finish: How the U.S. Got Bin Laden
by: Elisabeth Meinecke
Townhall.com
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 inform-
ation 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 internet
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.
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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 assess-
ments" 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.
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