Operation on Osama Bin Laden

[Thijs]

During the operation to take Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, a US helicopter was destroyed by the special forces.The helicopter was not able to fly anymore. Reason of the malfunction or helicopter type unknown at this moment.

The above was announced by CNN

[michel N]

Some reports state that the helicopter was shot down (or at least severely damaged) by some of his bodyguards. Also, the body of Bin Laden seems to have received a sea-grave. Which proves that the operation was carried out by a sea bourne attack force, instead of an operation started in Afghanistan.

[Stratofreighter]

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=122046 was last updated hours ago. Some details in this piece may eventually turn out to be correct after more has become known...

[ehusmann]

Some reports state that the helicopter was shot down (or at least severely damaged) by some of his bodyguards. Also, the body of Bin Laden seems to have received a sea-grave. Which proves that the operation was carried out by a sea bourne attack force, instead of an operation started in Afghanistan.

I would say it merely indicates that the operation was started from the sea, it doesn't proof anything. Another reason why they have given him a burial at sea is the fact that this way his grave cannot become a site of pilgrimage. Nobody will ever find the body now.

Erwin

[Coati]

At CNN it is stated that a senior official said Navy SEALs were among the involved SFs.

[SquAdmin]

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=122046 was last updated hours ago.

Hmm, this website mentions a Pakistani helicopter.

[blu109]

http://www.talksy.com/134028/rt-abcworl ... icials-say

Body is heading for sea grave after being identified. Doesnt say anything ebout where the action started.

[blu109]

http://nieuws.nl.msn.com/buitenlands-ni ... izoensstad

[SquAdmin]

Here's more:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_ ... _bin_laden

So operation started from a base in NW-Pakistan.

[TF-104G]

German News says a AH-64 hit by arms and make an emergency landing. Think this is the helicopter ?

[SquAdmin]

AD.nl says: "09:05 uur Een van de helikopters die ingezet is bij de actie, crasht tijdens de landing, volgens het Amerikaanse leger door technische problemen. Er vallen geen slachtoffers."

So, a crashlanding due to technical failure according to US military.

[Coati]

According to CNN, BBC etc, the assault was performed with 4 choppers.

[Antilliaan]

The destroyed helicopter was an AH-64 Apache, seen on footage of tail parts near one of the walls of the compound.

[Mark B.]

According to THIS article it was a Black Hawk.

[Coati]

Apperently, both Chinooks and Black Hawks were involved (I guess night stalkers), four helo's as mentioned before. A 20 man SEAL team of DEVGRU (formely known as team six) executed the assault. In total, 40 troops were taking part.