When Osama Bin Laden was finally brought to justice on May 2, 2011 by US Navy Seals, President Barrack Obama was quick to claim credit and perhaps rightly so. President Obama did make the decision and he did take responsibility for the subsequent killing of Bin Laden. So since the President took command responsibility, he is also entitled to the credit. Ok, I can live with that.
But it turns out, there is more to the story. Don Brown is a former US Navy JAG Officer and his impressive credentials. help him to expose the downside to this operation. And the downside comes in two parts.
Part 1. Both Vice President Biden and CIA Director Panetta took it upon themselves to publicly release classified information that placed the Seals and their families in grave danger. Way to go guys. I am glad that you were able to place your Public Relations needs ahead of the safety of our Special Forces. What can you expect from polititions.
But there was another problem. On August 6, 2011, Taliban forces shot down a helicoptor - call sign "Extortion 17". The attack killed the Air National Guard crew, seven unidentified members of the Afghan military, and seventeen members of Navy Seal Team Six - the same warriers that killed Bin Laden just 90 dayes before. Also killed were three Air Force Special Forces operatives, one Afghan interpreter, and a military working dog.
Mr. Don Brown does a fine job of detailing why this tragedy happened:
1) An inappropriate helicoptor was used in the mission.
2) The mission was suicidal at best.
3) Unidentified persons were on the helicoptor.
4) Afghanies were in the mission.
5) Horribly Rules of Engagement.
In addition, the author superbly details the subsequent and ongoing coverup. This includes the Congressional Hearing on February 27, 2014.
Mr. Don Brown deserves a lot of credit for telling the Rest of the Story. For telling the Entire Story. One hopes that this novell will keep the Extortion 17 Investigation alive and propell it's fruition and thus finally bring closer and peace to the families. In addition, I hope the the Trump Administration reads this book and takes these lessions to heart. Let us learn from our mistakes and kill our enemies.
God Bless the United States Military. May the fallen rest in peace and their families achieve closer and justice.