Since you obviously know the correct procedures, what really happened here?
Well the most PC answer I can give is something that I have no “official” need to know yet ...........
Uncle Sugar screwed the pooch trying to cover up a unofficial leak of an operation by a couple of disgruntled officers, who spewed to the presstitutes, with a BS response that anyone who served and performed duties in that arena be they lifer or one term wonders knows is cow crap.
Too many career vets out here now to believe for a minute that this happened as described. Too many individuals outside of the span of control and unity of command for any ONE individual or a series of individuals to make such a goof of the proportions described.
That’s my SWAG based on status as a lifer in EOD .......