Quote:
Originally Posted by 69harley
I doubt they flew in any variant of the -hawk. News reports 25 pax on two birds, they blew one in place, 25 pax plus one left on the remaining bird. could not have been a -60.
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NY Times has a photo of part of the wreckage. Looks like the tali of a 60 to me. The same article describes the mission as having 4 helos. I have seen the number of SEALS at 24, and the NY Times article says 12 SEALS were dropped into the compound.
Also hearing that one of the helos did a soft landing in the compound either due to a mechanical or lift issue. Either way, the NY Times piece says 12 were dropped in, the primary attack force was composed of 2 Helos, with 2 more on standby in case shit hit the fan. One of those came in when one of the primary helos went down to retrieve the crew and SEALS of the downed chopper.
So with a little filling in of the gaps in info, it sounds to me like the op involved 4 helos with 24 SEALS. 2 entered Pakistan, while 2 hung back, presumably in A'Stan, as a backup in case the primary force encountered resistance or other issues. When one of the helos went down, one of the backup choppers came in to retrieve the personnel and continued out of country.
That puts 6 SEALS per chopper on the outset of the mission, and after losing a helo, 18 SEALS between 2 choppers plus the corpse of one UBL. Seems like a load well within the capability and range of a UH60, and the tail wreckage at the compound is assuredly not from a 47.
I am sure it is possible it was an air force bird, but my money is on it being a 60. Tho we all know where it would be from, I certainly wont play with OPSEC on here
Heres the NY times article
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/wo...agewanted=1&hp
And the photo of the wreckage
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/20...B-INTEL-2.html
EDIT: Not presuming to know any of that for fact. Just trying to read between the lines.