Interesting article with additional information about the Bin Laden operation

[Chris Kennedy]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/10/pakistan.us.military.fight/index.html?hpt=C1

[John B.]

I saw this earlier today.  I thought the MH-53 Pave Low claim was interesting.  I need pics before I'll believe that.

[Chris Kennedy]

We probably won't be seeing any pics.

[Joe Copalman]

A friend and I were discussing this last week.  You have to figure there'd be some massive support behind this raid, even if the assault itself only called for two "stealthy" H-60s for the insertion.  At least two MH-47s involved with a Quick Reaction Force for added firepower on the ground if needed, and most definitely some CSAR support, either aboard the H-47s involved, or autonomous on HH-60s.  Then you've got the RQ-170 up above.  Additionally, I'm sure there were AWACS orbiting at standoff range to detect any PAF scrambles, F-22s or F-15s (most likely the -22s that had been deployed to the UAE a few weeks back) flying a CAP outside Pakistani airspace to engage any Pakistani fighters targeting the assault force, a Rivet Joint to intercept any Pakistani military communications related to the raid, an EC-130 Compass Call to jam those communications to prevent coordination of an attack on the assault force, and possibly a CSAR Herk airborne to coordinate any SAR effort should it become necessary.  Figure that's the minimum to ensure a successful raid free from, as Obi-Wan would say, "any Imperial entanglements."  I may be wrong, but I cannot fathom the President NOT ensuring that the strike force had every tool it needed in the event of most of the likely contingencies.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a SEAD force in the mix as well to neutralize Pakistani air defense sites if needed.   

[Chris Kennedy]

It's only about 115 miles from the compound site to the nearest point on the Afghan border, so Mach 2+ fighters could have probably been on site before any Pakistani aircraft could get off the ground.

I'm glad it didn't happen that way, though. A quick in and out raid with no outside casualties is one thing, heavy duty military action would have created a huge mess.

[Jay Beckman]

They only need to cover a portion of that distance...

AMRAAM's can cover the rest!