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."
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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The whole thing is a decoy....it wasnt the SEAL 6 team....it was another unit.....you really believe the govt?
Maybe CNN should consider canceling its special "Inside the Mission" after the Defense Secretary's comments.
What I don't understand is why they Name the team that took him out, why not just say Special Operation soldiers, Why name SEAL team 6? I don't think they need or want the press. This is something the White House did, probably because it sounds good. If it was a special forces team they probably would have given the ODA number.
Of course, you DO realise that we need to keep the economy going. It's red-blooded American capitalism, by golly! We need amazing stories filled with exclusive info, so that people will log on or watch, or read to this or that program or site and see the ads. Insurance companies, soap companies, car companies, they all need exposure. What, are you trying to ruin the ECONOMY for a few lives? (For the stupid among us, I am being sarcastic.)
The media and civilians just don't get it! KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Civilians want to know way too much, and the media can't wait to report it!
Why should we be quiet when things are going on around out there? Surely your ignorance should be told just what to do and dont tell. You dont have a family, you dont have friends, you're a nobody. No one cares about you. Yep, no one really care what happens to you. People got families, loved ones, fathers, are out on the field battling terrorism. We are at war. We want to know.
So will the person or person who leaked the information that Mr. Gates refered to be joining Bradley Manning? I don't think so, because this secret leaker is probably Joe Biden or Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. They are exempt from the rule of law. So let's just jam up Bradley Manning. He's a private in the Army, right? You can never go above corporals when there is blame to be spread.
This is odd, they are Navy Seal Team 6 Assassins kill sometimes defenseless people on orders, no thinking,no heart then they fear for their lives and their families. Is someone given intel to the opposition that they know might be true, this is the only way they are afraid for themselves and families. They need to be brain washed some more to over come fear.
SEALS should be selected from individuals that are single, limited families etc... This is a unique line of work that requires a unique type of individual.
THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE T I T S IN THIS ARTICLE!!!!
There has been way too much info on the news immediately following the raid about where the President went to meet and speak with those involved, too much info about where they are stationed at, to the extent I think it puts members of that unit that weren't directly involved and their family members at risk. I recall a wife of a unit member that wasn't directly involved was interviewed on TV and she was talking about how they never talk about missions, stress of being deployed and away from family, and I just cringed because that woman's face is now identifiable and even though the news said her husband is a unit member that wasn't involved in the raid he is a member of a unit that was. Way too much info, in my opinion, and I can see how that would be a huge concern.
Yes I believe our government. Why would they use team 6 as a decoy?
We need to ALL BACK OFF. bin laden is DEAD leave it alone.
No where in this artical did anybody say that the name of the Seal team members where revealed. One person in the comments say that for Prapaganda effect and then it ends geting repeated like fivty times.
He's NOT really dead! He's alive and well and teaching philosophy at NYU!
these seal are at least smart enough to know obama cant help them...its amazing he was not on vacation during the raid like he was when libya was attacked...
I forgot to mention I hope they killed the right men on this raid, to me I saw the videos of OBL that were released and sure dont look like OBL. Obama and CIA play tricks all the time, they lie to much, no credibility.
Now that is absurd... and we wonder why info is leaked. Every one wants to be a critic... Sure you did! You're a Tea Bagger operative, maybe a "Deather" admit it. If so why are you posting on this stupid message board. You're as bad as the media... of which you must be a part of, or better yet, maybe you're a high ranking govt official.. if so out yourself and don't use AKA's.... idiotic.