Navy SEALs forgot to bring a tape measure

**woodsman86** · 05-07-2011, 12:10 PM

The odds that Osama bin Laden was the mysterious figure seen walking around the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan were estimated by U.S. intelligence at between 60 and 80 percent. When the Navy SEALs shot the tall figure on the upper floor of the compound, fatally hitting him in the chest and near his right eye, the next step was to get a positive ID. They planned to use several reference points, including facial recognition and eventually DNA when the body was transported back to Bagram airbasein Afghanistan.

Another measurement was to determine the height of the corpse. Bin Laden is listed on his FBI most wanted poster as being between 6-feet 4-inches and 6-feet 6-inches and weighing about 160 pounds.

However, the heavily-armed, electronically wired SEALs didn't come with a tape measure to get an accurate height reading. According to reports, a Navy SEAL of about 6-feet laid out next to bin Laden's corpse to gauge the Al Qaeda leader's height. The corpse was several inches taller.

The Washington Post's legendary reporter Bob Woodward came up with some inside the Situation Room conversation while the raid was underway and the president and his team were watching a muted feed of the action.

After Mr. Obama learned of the improvised height measurement technique, he reportedly said, "We donated a $60 million helicopter to this operation. Could we not afford to buy a tape measure?"

The helicopter in his remark was the stealth technology-outfitted bird that crash-landed as the raid began and had to be destroyed by the SEALs.

Woodward also learned that bin Laden was named "the Pacer" as the intelligence gathering proceeded. Satellite imagery showed a person walking in the compound daily, but the face and exact height of the pacer were not identifiable.

In addition, Woodward learned some specifics about the phone call by the courier Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti that led U.S. intelligence to bin Laden's Abbottabad lair. Speaking to a friend as the U.S. was recording the conversation, al-Kuwaiti said, "I'm back with the people I was with before."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_1...34-503543.html

**JPGreco** · 05-07-2011, 12:18 PM

well considering intelligence only had an estimate on his height, there was no need for a tape measure. I can easily tell if someone is about that height if I'm near them because I'm 6'2". A 6' tall seal laying next to a body that is a few inches taller works for me.

**Rick** · 05-07-2011, 04:50 PM

they could have pulled out a good old USA dollar. It's six inches long.

**2dumb2kwit** · 05-07-2011, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

they could have pulled out a good old USA dollar. It's six inches long.

*Heard at the scene*
So...he should be about...uh....13 bucks tall.
Anybody have change for a twenty?

**Rick** · 05-07-2011, 07:56 PM

Pvt. Dimwit: "Uh, I got some quarters."

**finallyME** · 05-09-2011, 10:52 AM

Considering how much they were carrying, I would think a tape measure would be last on the list. Anyways, you don't need one when you can improvise. Good for the SEALs to think on their feet.

**Rick** · 05-09-2011, 12:18 PM

Uh, they were laying down. So I think they were thinking on their butt. That's where my brains are anyway.

**BENESSE** · 05-09-2011, 05:11 PM

I'd think there'd be easier ways to measure than lying down next to a bloody corpse; like pacing down the length of the body if you know (as you should) the length of your boot foot print, or say the span of your thumb and middle finger. (the last I do often when buying clothes for other people--works every time. The span of my fingers is 8" so I just do the math)