Former DEVGRU operator Matt Bissonnette has provided a firsthand account of the 2011 Operation Neptune Spear, the raid that resulted in the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Bissonnette, who participated in the mission as a member of SEAL Team 6, spoke in a recent interview about details that have often been subject to public speculation and varied narratives.
One of the most significant points Bissonnette addressed was the condition of bin Laden's body after the raid. Contrary to some accounts, he stated that bin Laden's face was not severely disfigured. "High forehead shots. His face is not all f***ed up. You can very clearly see his bridge of his nose, whole face, mouth, mouth structure. Easily identifiable," Bissonnette said, suggesting that official photos, if released, would corroborate this. He disputed claims of excessive shots or distortion, emphasizing that the al-Qaeda leader was readily identifiable.
Bissonnette also clarified the actions of the SEAL who first encountered bin Laden. The pointman, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly fired at bin Laden when he appeared at a doorway and then followed his shots into the room. Bissonnette explained the tactical reasoning behind this, stating that it is standard procedure for a SEAL to pursue a known threat. He countered the idea that the pointman would have abandoned the pursuit to check for women and children, asserting that women were present in the room where bin Laden was found and that tactical protocols would necessitate following the threat.
He described the raid itself as methodical rather than a chaotic action-movie scenario. The primary sense of urgency, Bissonnette noted, stemmed from concerns about suicide vests or whether the compound was rigged to explode. This urgency did not lead to rushed tactics, but rather a slow and deliberate approach to clearing the compound.
Operation Neptune Spear, conducted by SEAL Team 6 and supported by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, took place in May 2011. The mission aimed to deliver justice for the victims of the September 11th attacks.