Live blogging of the OBL mission in Pakistan

[ScottM]

This is pretty interesting

http://www.nwherald.com/2011/05/02/man-unknowingly-liveblogs-bin-laden-operation/all6ce2/

Here some guy used social media and unknowingly was actually describing the mission to get Osama bin Laden.

The last statement he made, "Osama Bin Laden killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Athar reported. "There goes the neighborhood." I don't understand. Seems like the neighborhood just got better.

BTW I have heard that one of the helos broke down and was left behind in a very damaged state. This so reminds me of Desert One but this time with a successful outcome. Has anyone heard what happened to the helo to cause it to not function? Mechanical, took fire, etc?

 

[mantakos]

... Mechanical, took fire, etc?

The reports I've seen have said mechanical, FWIW.
-harry

 

[Pilawt]

I have heard that one of the helos broke down and was left behind in a very damaged state. This so reminds me of Desert One but this time with a successful outcome. Has anyone heard what happened to the helo to cause it to not function? Mechanical, took fire, etc?

One network news reporter this morning said, quote, "There wasn't enough air under the wings." What more do you need to know? Must be those darned air pockets again.

Just guessing, though ... perhaps the walls surrounding the compound made it impossible for the heavily-loaded helicopter to transition from hover to forward flight?

 

[Dave Siciliano]

Washington Post is stating RPGs were fired at Helos by Bin Laden's guards on the roof. It will be interesting to find out more. SEAL team six is being credited with carrying out the mission on the ground.

Best,

Dave

 

[EdFred]

Has anyone heard what happened to the helo to cause it to not function? Mechanical, took fire, etc?

Didn't file a flight plan. Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

[Ted]

Washington Post is stating RPGs were fired at Helos by Bin Laden's guards on the roof. It will be interesting to find out more. SEAL team six is being credited with carrying out the mission on the ground.

What Team 6? There is no Team 6.

 

[mantakos]

This is what the White House had to say late last night:

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/05/02/official-white-house-press-briefing-on-bin-laden/
12:03 A.M. EDT
...
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:
...
During the raid, we lost one helicopter due to mechanical failure. The aircraft was destroyed by the crew and the assault force and crew members boarded the remaining aircraft to exit the compound. All non-combatants were moved safely away from the compound before the detonation...​

-harry

 

[JesseD]

Didn't file a flight plan. Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I heard they didn't check the ATIS and NOTAM info either! For shame! The NTSB shall not be pleased.

 

[Fearless Tower]

What Team 6? There is no Team 6.

The official name is Naval Special Warfare Development Group better known as DEVGRU.

 

[airbornejohnny]

The official name is Naval Special Warfare Development Group better known as DEVGRU.

...but they, well...don't exist

 

[flyingcheesehead]

The last statement he made, "Osama Bin Laden killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Athar reported. "There goes the neighborhood." I don't understand. Seems like the neighborhood just got better.

I just was looking at the guy's tweets and when you read it in context, it appears that the "there goes the neighborhood" comment is in regards to the fact that all of the news orgs from all over the world are gonna overrun the place now. He actually moved from another city (Lahore) to Abbottobad to get away from hustle and bustle, and now it's coming to him.

The tweet immediately prior to the "there goes the neighborhood" tweet says:

I guess Abbottabad is going to get as crowded as the Lahore that I left behind for some peace and quiet. *sigh*

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Some other very interesting tweets from him:

@smedica 'safer' is a relative term that has lost its meaning in Pakistan

@smedica people are saying it was not a technical fault and it was shot down. I heard it CIRCLE 3-4 times above, sounded purposeful.

And, from a few days ago:

Why are the Pakistani subjects so happy about seriously, our rulers take us through what comes after a 'royal wedding' every other day ...

If you read through it all, the guy sounds just like a normal, everyday human being - Which is exactly what he is. I hope a few people do just that and realize that "they" are not any different than "we" are.

 

[steingar]

If you read through it all, the guy sounds just like a normal, everyday human being - Which is exactly what he is. I hope a few people do just that and realize that "they" are not any different than "we" are.

Actually, the government is fairly unpopular in Pakistan because they've sided with us. The Taliban is indeed very popular, has been given a great deal of government support, and operates with relative impunity on Pakistani soil. It is likely that their intelligence service launched the attack on Mumbai that killed 8 Americans.

Calling them allies is perhaps a bit generous.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Actually, the government is fairly unpopular in Pakistan because they've sided with us. The Taliban is indeed very popular, has been given a great deal of government support, and operates with relative impunity on Pakistani soil. It is likely that their intelligence service launched the attack on Mumbai that killed 8 Americans.

Calling them allies is perhaps a bit generous.

Who the hell's talking about the government? I'm talking about your average citizen. It seems the reason this particular guy doesn't like the gov't has nothing to do with the Taliban or the US, and everything to do with the fact that their basic infrastructure is lacking. In particular, electrical power. He was without power for 18 of the 24 hours the other day, and tweeted this:

Abbottabad had power for 6/24 hours or so today, still waiting for the power brokers to have pity on us :-\

18 hours per day is not loadshedding, it is a load of bull**** :-(

He also displays a refreshing lack of greed:

@moliesre1981 No, I am not taking any money for the interviews - just losing sleep - a lot of it. "Monetization" is not really on my list.

I am sorry I can not take any more phone calls or interviews. Really sleepy. The images I uploaded (from my cellphone) can be used freely.

And I think this is what he meant by "there goes the neighborhood:"

 

[Doggtyred]

The official name is Naval Special Warfare Development Group better known as DEVGRU.

It will always be team 6 no matter what the brass tries to call it.