Slain SEAL’s dad wants answers: ‘Don’t hide behind my son’s death’

Raids of any sort are inherently dangerous. When you sign up for the SEAL's you know you will be going on many of these raids and there is a chance you will be wounded or killed. The raid is not a failure because an American is killed during it. That is an unrealistic standard for any action against an enemy.

The raid, as his father should know, was planned under the previous administration and had not been carried out for a few tactical reasons. Trump gave the approval after military commanders determined they were ready to go. Trump didn't show up, dust of this raid and say "do it" against military commanders better judgment.

He is entitled to his grieving process, whatever it may be. He is not entitled to his own set of facts.

Colin Kahl, a national security adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden is the guy who threw the match that ignited this controversy. He is an academic who has never seen a day of military service in his life. He is undoubtedly one of those people who gets his impression of the battlefield from Hollywood movies. Here are some lessons Mr. Kahl needs to put in his notebook.

_You never know everything you need to know about the enemy.
_At least some, if not much of what you know about the enemy is either wrong, or out of date.
_The enemy never follows your plan.
_It is a combat mission, people (sometimes your own) get killed or injured.
_Aerial photography from drones and HumInt (Intelligence from uncorroborated human sources) are not definitive and complete.
_Drones do a crappy job of collecting information stored on paper, discs, and hard drives.

Mr. Kahl should leave tactical and operational mission evaluation to someone who has an hour or two of military training under their belt, and was in some shape or form involved in the mission. Hot wash up commentary, based on news reports isn't even worthy of an academic. He needlessly caused this family to doubt the necessity of a mission that took their son's life.

I sympathize with William (Bill) Owens but think he is looking for someone to blame for his son's death ... when there isn't anyone. As I recall and as stated in the article:

"Owens and his SEAL commandos set out in the dark of night. Planning for the Yemen raid began last year during the Obama administration, but the execution was tabled because it was decided it would be better to launch the operation on a moonless night, which wouldn’t occur until after President Trump took office Jan. 20."

This wasn't a hastily thought out and poorly planned mission and it didn't originate in the Trump administration. Trump approved it, for sure, but it wasn't some politically motivated, pull-it-out-of-your-ass at the last minute mission as some media and politicians are attempting to portray it.

May Ryan Owen rest in peace ... and may his father and family find comfort in their faith, friends, memories, and the appreciation of all Americans for the service and sacrifice of their loved one.