[ 2011-05-13 ]

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates

Gates: SEALs who killed bin Laden concerned for their safety
The Department of Defense is looking into ways to
"pump up the security" for the team of Navy SEALs
who helped kill Osama bin Laden after the
commandos expressed concern for their safety and
the safety of their families, Defense Secretary
Robert Gates said Thursday.

Gates made the comment in response to a question
at a town hall meeting at Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina. A Marine asked what measures were being
taken to protect "the identities and the lives" of
the SEALs involved in the takedown of bin Laden in
Pakistan a week ago, as well as other troops
deployed in the region, from the threat of
retaliation.

"We are very concerned about the security of our
families – of your families and our troops, and
also these elite units that are engaged in things
like that. And without getting into any details
... I would tell you that when I met with the team
last Thursday, they expressed a concern about
that, and particularly with respect to their
families," Gates told the audience.

"Frankly, a week ago Sunday, in the Situation
Room, we all agreed that we would not release any
operational details from the effort to take out
bin Laden. That all fell apart on Monday, the next
day."

Gates' comments offered the first insight into the
mindset of the team members since they carried out
the risky operation.

SEALs, short for Sea, Air and Land teams, are
known as "quiet professionals." They keep a low
profile because of the classified nature of their
tactical operations.

The team, known as SEAL Team 6, is widely believed
to have returned to American soil. But the unit is
covered with such a degree of secrecy that the
military won't confirm its presence.

The Marine's question underscored sentiment among
military and intelligence communities that
identification of the team signified an
unprecedented breach of confidentiality.

Gates acknowledged the threat of retaliation
against Team 6 and troops deployed in the region.

"There is an awareness that the threat of
retaliation is increased because of the attacks
– because of the action against bin Laden," he
said. "The one thing I would tell you, though, is
that I think there has been a consistent and
effective effort to protect the identities of
those who participated in the raid, and I think
that has to continue."

A Pentagon spokesman later cautioned against
interpreting Gates' response "as a criticism of
any particular person or office."

"He was indeed voicing his concern about the
breakdown in operational security after the
killing of Bin Laden," Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense Geoff Morrell said. "Anonymous sources
revealing secret information about the tactics,
training, and equipment of covert forces put at
risk our ability to successfully mount similar
missions in the future."

Source - CNN

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