My 24 year old daughter, who knows even less about military operations than I do (which I know very little) questioned why so many SEALS were in one helicopter. I think it’s a good question.
I know. I agree. It is just not right all around. I heard the same from all different types of people that are usually clueless to who the VP is. ABC news needs to be told to remove the names immediately and the MSM needs to stop but someone high up in government has to be feeding the media beast. The WH leaked way too much when OBL was killed.There is no respect,honor or character in the MSM or WH.
All helicopters are especially vulnerable during takeoff/landing. They are under tremendous stress anyway, so anything impacting them will have an adverse effect. Even small arms. RPGs very effective at close range. Destructive as well.
This horrific tragedy seems to have been due, perhaps, to the "fog of war."
I think that the theories of “conspiracy” are probably stretched. Here is why:
If you were a Taliban soldier, some of whom have been fighting “invaders” since I was a boy you would begin to pick up on the tactics of your enemy.
As a guerrilla warrior you would know where the troops are being dispatched from. Would you not set a person up to watch the airfield?
When you attack a group with overwhelming force, they in turn would call for help. Your person watching the airfield (or the entrances to the valley) would call and let you know when the chopper is coming. That would give you pretty decent time to prepare for the arrival in a choke point.
And, then its a lucky shot.
If you think like an insurgent, it seems pretty straightforward.
What you cannot do is make the assumption that these fighters are stupid. Poor does not equate to stupid.
They seemed pretty smart when they were knocking USSR choppers out of the air.
I hate that our guys are dead, and I hate that they sent in so many on a chopper. But I think the simplest answer is usually the most likely to be correct.