OFFICIAL OBL Death Timeline: CNN

(CNN) -- The operation that led to the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden took shape after detainees identified a trusted bin Laden courier as someone who may have been living with and protecting the militant leader, senior administration officials told reporters.

That courier became a key lead in locating bin Laden, the officials said.

The officials provided details on the origins of the operation and the raid that led to bin Laden's killing:

* Four years ago: Officials uncovered the courier's identity.

* Two years ago: Investigators identified areas of Pakistan where the courier and his brother lived.

* August 2010: The residence of the courier and his brother was found in Abbottabad, 30 to 35 miles north of Islamabad, Pakistan's capital.

* September 2010: The CIA worked with President Barack Obama "on a set of assessments that led it to believe that in fact it was possible" bin Laden may be at the compound in Abbottabad.

* February 2011: U.S. officials concluded there was a "sound intelligence basis" for pursuing bin Laden at that location.

* March and April 2011. President Barack Obama held a series of National Security Council meetings "to develop courses of action to bring justice to Osama bin Laden." There were at least five NSC meetings -- March 14, March 29, April 12, April 19, and April 28.

* April 29, 2011. President Obama gave the final order to pursue the operation.

* May 2, 2011. After months of decision-making and planning, a U.S. military team conducted a small helicopter raid on the compound. The officials did not provide a breakdown of team members, but a senior U.S. defense official said U.S. Navy SEALs were involved in the operation.

The senior administration officials provided these details of the raid:

* The team was in the compound for 40 minutes. It did not encounter any local authorities during the raid.

* Bin Laden resisted the assault force and died in a firefight. Along with bin Laden, three adult males were killed.

* Two were believed to be the couriers and one was a son of bin Laden.

* A woman used as a human shield by a male combatant died and two women were injured.

* A helicopter was lost because of mechanical failure.

* Intelligence on bin Laden was not shared with Pakistan and other countries.

* After the raid, U.S. officials briefed Pakistani and other world leaders.

* Bin Laden has been buried at sea and his body was handled in the Islamic tradition. The officials but did not elaborate.




I thought this was a good starting point to hopefully "clear up" some of the misconceptions about time and execution that Obama "messed up" on...

" * A helicopter was lost because of mechanical failure. "

Did they mention how many helicopters they went in with? One of the news stories last night stated that they destroyed the helicopter themselves, on purpose, so that intel would not be discovered.

They must have had more than one go in, or how would they have gotten the body out? The more helicopters that went in, the more of a risk to be seen, and/or shot down...

Originally posted by snowspirit
" * A helicopter was lost because of mechanical failure. "

Did they mention how many helicopters they went in with? One of the news stories last night stated that they destroyed the helicopter themselves, on purpose, so that intel would not be discovered.

They must have had more than one go in, or how would they have gotten the body out? The more helicopters that went in, the more of a risk to be seen, and/or shot down...

I remember reading the number at 4.
(2 assault, 2 support). I would guess 2 Pave Lows and 2 Apache fire support. . We should find out for sure in the next few days.

SO MANY news agencies are stating the Navy Seals were on a mission to "Capture or Kill", but I could have sworn Obama said it was a mission to kill Osama.. Dead or Dead.

???

I'm just surprised there wasn't a tunnel under that Mansion where he could flee when he heard the birds coming in.

Anyone got the real scoop on the chopper crash? Too many conflicting stories.