Just another mission for the Navy SEALs as they go about their top-secret business in Afghanistan (news - web sites), flushing out terrorists in some of the world's most pitiless and desolate terrain.
Logan, a dynamic young CBS News correspondent who has reported extensively from such trouble spots as Afghanistan and Iraq (news - web sites), recently spent six weeks with a unit of these Special Operations forces. The access she got is virtually unprecedented for a journalist. Her account — which includes the deathblow to Roze Khan, regarded as the most powerful Taliban leader in southern Afghanistan — will air on "60 Minutes Wednesday" on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. EST.
Cut down after firing at the SEALs as he tried to flee into the hills, the assault-rifle-wielding Khan was a legendary outlaw who had been tracked by Special Ops for more than two years.
The implications of his killing? "Huge," a team member sums up for Logan.
Logan says she spent months lobbying the military to let her go along. Telling this untold story, she reasoned, could help shed light on the more visible facets of the war. And not just for the audience, but for her, too.
"When you're covering a story in a place like that," she says, "there's constant frustration because you know there's a whole lot of other stuff you can't get to, that would change your understanding of the bigger picture.
"You almost feel like, how can I really understand the role the Marines are playing, if I don't know about any of those other guys that I can't see or talk to? And the role they play is so crucial."
As she speaks, Logan is enjoying breakfast in the plush, Yule-appointed dining room at her Manhattan hotel. A 33-year-old South Africa native who has roamed the world chasing stories and now calls London home, she is in the States to finish a "60 Minutes" profile of renowned chef Thomas Keller, which includes a visit to his northern California restaurant.
But Logan has spent much of the past year in a more characteristic role — a member of the death-defying cadre of war correspondents — covering the turmoil in Afghanistan, which gets short shrift from the media, she says.
"Iraq is the big story," notes Logan, who in 2003 reported from Baghdad until hours before the war began, then returned two weeks later (the first U.S. network TV correspondent to do so) only hours before U.S. forces penetrated the Iraqi capital.
With a story datelined Afghanistan, "people are not going to pay as much attention," she concedes. "But if you just get a few people to pay attention, then that's the real reward."
It was Logan's sustained presence in Afghanistan that helped win her (and her photographer-field producer, Jeff Newton) access to the SEALs. Even with a journalist recording what they do, the SEALs require certain secrets be protected: No faces can be shown unless obscured by helmet and glasses; no exact locations can be disclosed. Special Ops command trusted Logan not to put its men in jeopardy by telling too much.
"She was a known entity to the commanders on the ground," says Lt. Comm. Steve Mavica, spokesman for U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa. He confirmed this was "the first time in recent history that we have embedded a reporter with SEALs ground forces."
Beyond its journalistic payoff, the experience was downright thrilling, Logan says.
"Physically, these guys have the toughest training in the world. They're the absolute best at what they do. And you get to be part of it! How cool is that?"
Actually, not so cool: The conditions were hot and grueling, dirty and sleep-deprived, and, of course, life-threatening.
What does Logan — so fashionably turned out for this breakfast in her sweater and slacks — have against basic creature comforts?
"I don't think it's a question of whether I like roughing it or not," she answers with a laugh. "I just don't care enough for that to matter. I'll live through absolutely anything if it means I'll get a great story that needs to be told."
Next up: A not-so-grueling profile of Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.
And then? "I'd like to go back to Iraq," Logan says. "I'm sort of chewing the door to not pack my bags for Baghdad. I'm watching it on the news, and trying not to go nuts."
60 Minuets? Sorry I'm planning to wash the dog that night.
I wonder if this would have been done by either the military or 60 Minutes before the election?
Puhleeeze.
...wishing that I had a nickel for every MSM story that was supposed to be neutral.
Why is the world would Navy SEALs have anything to do with CBS?
If the gov't could charge to use the term SEAL, we'd reduce the deficit by 50% overnight.
includes the deathblow to Roze Khan
Khan? I already fear a screenplay is in the works.
I would hope that the military was savvy enough to steer clear of anything to do with CBS. 60 Minutes may have the SEALs plotting to assassinate George Soros-with the memo's to back it up!
She got that part right, and I must admit, it got my attention....though I haven't watched 2 minutes of 60 Minutes in the last dozen years, I might have to tune in to see if is a merit piece or not, but I promise to shower before returning to the forum.
If it's BS, I think I'll smell it pretty quick and call for an extraction team before I become a statistic.
What self respecting american, WITH A MINIMUM OF HALF A BRAIN, still watches 60 minutes?
Just curious...
Here's a SEAL blogger's thoughts on this.....scroll down to Dec. 27 post.
http://froggyruminations.blogspot.com/
So this reporterette just jumps in with the SEALs and it's COOL???? No thanks, think I'll finally read that letter from the IRS I received last week.
If I was a member of the military I would tell them to stay the heck away from me after seeing what sixty minutes did during the election.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/687768/posts
Some nice photos and background here.
I thought it was great - very well done, and to me, essentially bias free.
Logan did a fine job in an overwhelming environment, and the interviews with individual SEALS were priceless.
The opening few minutes, showing the mission planning process and helo insertion, were awesome. I spent 30 minutes on the remote reviewing the gear, from the RBR headgear to their unique body armor, and wide assortment of hardware, tactical nylon, and weapons.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The 556mm M4 SOPMOD was the weapon of choice, outfitted with either the 4x32 ACOG, or Aimpoint M68. The PEQ/PAQ series of visible/IR lasers were also popular, along with Surefire weapon lights.
Snipers appeared to be carrying AR10 variants, although it was hard to tell from the brief, distant video. It wasn't an M1A or M14.
Pistols were DA autos - M9, and SIG or HK. I didn't see any 1911's.
A huge variety of load bearing gear and individual equipment, they seemed to favor chest magazine rigs and tactical vests.
Every team member had a commo rig, with boom mike. RBR helmets with a unique NVD mount, didn't see it in use but it looked similar to the unit the Army developed for the PASGT/ACH helmets and PVS14.