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Officials tell NBC News that President Barack Obama was able to monitor the assault on the compound that housed Osama Bin Laden in real time Sunday night from the Situation Room.
The president received "audio and visual" updates from the scene as it was unfolding, said one U.S. official.
When the team on the ground reported back that they had killed the organization's leader, at approximately 3:55pm ET on Sunday, applause broke out in the Situation Room.
According to current and former officials, CIA Director Leon Panetta was also able to watch the operation in real time from the CIA, conferring live with Vice Admiral William H. McRaven, head of the Joint Special Operations Command, who was in Afghanistan.
Full video of the assault is unlikely to be released because it contains operations information.
Two moments during the raid were particularly "heartstopping," according to one official.
The first was when the operation's helicopters first arrived at the scene. The plan was for the choppers to hover and lower 12 Seals to the ground rather than land. But one of the choppers stopped working due to a lack of air within the high compound walls.
It made a soft landing (not a crash) on the ground and the raid went forward. At that point a third "emergency" chopper on standby came to the scene.
As the team returned with bin Laden's body, they blew up the broken chopper, which resulted in a "massive explosion." The team exited in two helicopters.
The other tense moment came when the choppers were leaving the country but remained within Pakistani airspace. The Pakistanis, seeing the choppers and not knowing if they were friendly or not, scrambled their fighter jets, causing white knuckles before the helicopters were able to leave.
NBC's Courtney Kube contributed.
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Ok I'm a little confused, this happened yesterday? If so how did they get the DNA so fast? Last night NBC said it took place last week??????????????????????????? that would make since in regards to the DNA deal.
It has been reported that FBI and other specialists were there to do the DNA testing - taking blood, skin cells, etc - doesn't take that long. I am sure tests could be completed quickly for the government.
CIA and the U.S. forces have NEVER stoped trying to catch Bin Laden and finally got a break when they tracked Bin Laden's trusted Courier to a secure and large compound 35 miles from the Pakistani capital. Intelligence operatives knew no courier owned a mansion like that and spent weeks monitoring the site and then determined the al-Qaida leader was the main resident the Times newspaper reported today. President Bush was right when he said "No matter how long it takes, we will get him". Bush left signed orders when he left the White House so the next president could act on them by signing off on the order and giving the o.k. was glad to hear that Bush was one of the first people to be called by Obama to let him know that Bush's wish had come true!!
This will make one helluva movie.
Helllllooo does anyone know when he was killed? Was it this week or last week? Just a little curious about this DNA stuff, not saying BL is not dead but the news stories are a little mixed up.
When the team on the ground reported back that they had killed the organization's leader, at approximately 3:55pm ET on Sunday, applause broke out in the Situation Room.
I'm sure they had the DNA testing equipment and the tec's positioned in the closest location. The guy in Pakistan that was tweeting about the operation, as it was going on, pretty much confirms it for me.
They also had the burial at sea planned in advance. Every step of this was planned in advance and all the necessary personell were in place before they gave the final "go". Very professional and very impressive.
The president gave the okay for the attack on Friday, April 29, before going to Alabama and Florida. The people on the ground would determine the appropriate time - the actual "killing" took place on Sunday, May 1. Osama bin Laden was buried at sea today, Monday, May 2. Planning for this attack started when Leon Panetta took over the CIA - fortunately there were no leaks during this planning and investigation. Only those "involved" were in the know, too.
coming to a theatre new you !!! the Hunt for Osama Bin Laden in 3D !!! I know I would go to see such a movie and I suspect others would as well !!!
The inside information, from someone in the intelligence community indicated last week. Heard about it one hour prior to the announcement from a family-member. The DNA test confirmed the body was Usama.
There are things we, the public, will never know, and rightfully so. It happens regularly.
I do hope those involved in the mission each receive a two-grade promotion, minimum.
And let's get over the partisian bickering, the Bev from Chicago racist comments, and enjoy this day. Remember those who were taken from their loved ones in these attacks.
Let's all be thankful that we do live in a great country. We can all get back to the partisan bickering after we enjoy this moment.
Obama will still be there to pick on tomorrow.
well said safecracker !!!
Before the action, there are training, practices, reviews, and assessment...
Just thanks for the experts and military for this succesful mission.
THANKS. And, we got him, bin Laden.
I still want to see the long form death certificate. Even then I might have my doubts.
I bet trump has his doubts !!! so Obama should arrange for Bin Laden's body to be cremated and have the ashes sprinkled onto the "donald"s hair !!!
Trump wants to see the long form Death Certificate before he believes this.
I understand Trump wants to see Bin Laden's birth certificate to be sure it was him killed in Pakistan !!
I want to see the body, like Hussein's sons.
When I was in the military, we were taught that there is information that will be given out on a "need to know" basis. Civilians don't have a need to know for EVERYTHING! Get over yourselves already.
Mr. President, you are the BEST! Continue to do YOUR thing.
Your truly,
Vietnam era vet.
If this were a farce why wouldn't our government have told us years ago that they killed Bin Laden?
It's quite assured that since Bin Laden's compound is only 30 meters from a military training facility and base, it must be assumed that he was protected by "very" highly placed Pakistani (military) officials. We are being betrayed by these so called allies at every turn and I understand that this relationship is driven by politics on both sides. The only way we will get any solid backing by Pakistan is if the country is divided into at least two (2) countries. Outside of the large cities the country is the "Wild west". This physical divide requires too many political maneuvers on our part.
I am very disappointed in the amount of press coverage counter terrorism has received since the elimination of this high value target. The effectiveness of the U.S. counter terrorism activities is reduced if their numbers, names of past commanders, and training locations are revealed to the public. The "Need to know," is very sensitive, and needs to be carefully monitored. If I were one of the several thousand highly skilled persons who are involved in these extremly dangerous and sensitive operations, I would prefer the public to know the least amount of details possible. These operations should never become politicized. The defense of our country is reduced when information about these highly sensitive activities is disseminated to the public.
So true Billie - a job well done by the best military and intelligence officials in the world!
This is a great story America! It was very interesting to see our President in action with his advisors around him. One could see the confidence of this President, and the determination to have this operation succeed. This is a President who is confident, intelligent, on task, and knows how to keep calm under preasure. This President is able to put political puzzles together, and creatively deflect the "Crazy Conservative Crap" that has been spewed at him. This is very good to see Mr. President!
Why not pacnwsailor, Obama can fold with the best of them.
FOX Entertainment is gonna be pissed they didn't come up with this first.
This recent action on the part of our President shows the difference between a politician and a world leader.. This morning Joe Scarbororgh (bless his little republican heart) keep saying that Obama pursued the policies of being successful in Afghanstan and going after Ben Laden despite the fact that his "base" was angry. Joe, here's the scoop that's the difference between a world leader and a politician. A world leader makes his decision based on what is in the best interest of the country, not what is in the best interest of his party. That is the difference between Obama and his republican challengers. They will say or do anything to pander to their base. He will not. Way to go Mr. President. I am proud to have voted for you.
PS: Those republicans who refused to acknowledge Obama's part in this continue to remind me how petty and stupid they really are. Keep up the good work. The people will flock to the democratic party.
I am grateful to Obama. He's keeping GITMO open. He pushed for the Patriot Act. He's ratcheted up the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's allowed the interrogations of the terrorists to continue. He's increased the use of drones, even when they were alleged to have killed innocent civilians.
Just like his predecessor, who put all of this in motion to begin with.
You see, most of us know that the media is going to allow Obama to do anything, comfortable in the media's undying support.
We no longer see the US military deaths plastered on every evening's news. We no longer have the media nipping at the POTUS's heels like rabid jackals. We know that Obama's foolish promises to close GITMO and all of his other verbal offal was a ploy to get the far left to vote for him.
And, they'll vote for him again.
Who else can they vote for?
The American People have a right to see the images of bin Laden's dead body.
So, let's get it out there.
As far as his burial at sea, those who find it sacrilegious should be happy he wasn't wrapped in a pigskin shroud, and tossed overboard in such a way as to have his feet pointing toward Mecca.
Thank goodness there wasn't a Pvt Manning in the bunch to release information.
You see, some things we are better off leaving a secret.
Yes I can also say for certain that this American president has one quality that many leaders in the recent past have not had....class.........The man is a class act,and he did this task with true class and dignity.What President do you know would have our military bury the leader of our enemy in proper Islamic fashion?He did not deserve a proper burial,within his own Muslim hard line parties he was hated and most likely would either have been enshrined or desecrated. In proper fashion either Obama or the military made the correct decision,let God bury him.The Navy SEALs performed their difficult profession most admirably,and actually asked something of Osama before they executed him.They asked him if he was going to surrender.The SEALs gave him a choice of whether he was going to live or die.He chose...poorly.Too bad Bin Laden did'nt give that choice to the 2,996 people who had no clue that they were going to die that day.Hmm..wonder where Bin Laden's spirit will lie now? And to others out there who choose to follow his route:His route in life was a cowardly one.No one with dignity or honor uses a 14 year old woman as a shield when facing his death..indeed he was no man,he was a coward in the end...We have a saying in America of who he was...poor little rich kid..says a lot.
No, he's not. He's a meddlesome, narcissistic loudmouth.
After he's out of office, he will continue to be a loudmouth, just like the obnoxious Jimmy Carter.
Bush, on the other hand is classy. He's kept his mouth shut and his opinions to himself. No mud-slinging or quick leaps to judgement like Barak "the police acted stupidly" Obama.
Being quiet about the current POTUS is what an ex-POTUS is supposed to do.
Steverino -- Bush was classy? In what twisted alternate universe are you talking about? Pres. Obama is a loudmouth??? No my friend, you have it a$$ backwards. Bush was a loudmouth cowboy who telegraphed every move he made while Pres. Obama can quietly multi-task and take care of many things at once and get all of the tasks done properly.
Today, we Americans can proudly claim "Mission Accomplished" instead of when dubya flew onto an aircraft carrier for a political photo-op with absolutely nothing accomplished!!
Sorry man,other way around budd.The press had commented the week leading up to this that the White House was very quiet.Bush talked out his *ss pretty much every day.He kept his mouth shut when he should have said something.No,this was done in good order,very well done Mr. Obama,I do believe you have earned a very good dose of class,especially while all this is unfolding,putting Mr. LoudMouth Trump in his place by handing over your very legal Hawaiian birth certificate..Trump and Bush are the very plain description of what a loudmouth is you idiot,they talk about their hair and themselves more than they do about whats going on.Sorry,but partisan mudslingin aint working no more.Now what are you gonna do?
Barack Obama handled this situation admirably,he performed indubious actions that had to get done with honor and grace..something that I sadly don't see here with our partisan bickering.Both parties had to handle this with kid gloves.One tried to mash it out with massive troop buildups and indefinite intelligence,the other played his hand with the utmost care,and literally witnessed it as it was happening.Never before had this been done.So say what you will,I cannot dissolve your right to free speech,but do use your free speech with more wisdom..many died for you to have that right Steven B...
The Prez did a fine job. Took some guts to order this considering there's always the possibilities of disaster ( crashed planes, bad intel, possibly rift with the Pakistani's) will the conspiracy nuts run with the no body (buried at sea) ? Probably.
Will there be retribution ? Probably. but bring it on, lately we have hardened the target.
But I'm liking the prez more since he showed us he had a pair.
The SEALS's .. ??? . forget about it they are the best. first shooting the pirates then this . Anchors away baby go Navy