Helicopter Range

Don't know your answer offhand, but I believe there are some helicopters capable of in-flight refueling.

Very well said especially "Why not just do the job and keep it quiet"

"PR Oiks", never heard that one before but it certainly fits!

GA!

If I hang around Del the Cat long enough, I might learn some English! An Oik?

From the Urban Dictionary:

"Depreciatory schoolboy word for a member of another school; an unpopular or disliked fellow-pupil. Also gen., an obnoxious or unpleasant person; in weakened senses, a 'nit-wit', a 'clot'."

TOO FUNNY - It fits better now

The helos involved were (I believe) the Sikorsky MH-60K. These are fitted with midair refueling capabability.

While many US Navy helicopters do use mid air refueling to cover a long distance, I did not hear that a helicopter was used for Bagram to the Arabian Sea. They could've used several fixed wing aircraft non-fighter aircraft for this transport.

A news source (BBC Mobile) is reporting:

"The body was then flown to Afghanistan and Bin Laden's identity was confirmed. Officials say a DNA sample was taken that matched that of several other family members. Some sources say facial recognition technology was also used.

"From Afghanistan, the body was, it appears, flown to the USS Carl Vinson."

So there was a stopover in Afganistan. You are probably correct about fixed wing aircraft being used for the trip to the carrier Carl Vinson (CVN-70, 'Gold Eagle').

Try the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion .It is in-flight refuellable, usually from KC-130's which have drogue re-fuelling pods attached between the engines. Typical range.. internal fuel c 550 miles. By the way the USN doesn't fly F-14's anymore, their role has been taken over by less capable F18's.

Doorman is correct regarding the TWO Sikorsky MH-60K's; additionally there were TWO Boeing/Vertol MH-47G Chinook's.

" Its tandem rotor design and lift capacity is particularly useful in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan where high altitudes and temperatures limited the use UH-60 Black Hawk"

What I find strange, is the USN SEAL's using assets other than their own. The MH-60K's are probably those of the USAF's SOC and the MH-47G Chinook's are Army ?

Nothing strange about this at all. There is no turf boundaries when orders come down for any Tier 1 (Delta Force, Seal 6, etc.) squad to use any equipment. If the available logistics at the critical time says that a Delta Force must be inserted by submarine to disable a radar station, it is done. If a modified bomb bay of a B2 stealth bomber is the preferred platform for a Seal Team 6 HALO jump, it is done. The only question acceptable in these circumstances is "Is that all, sir?"

How long does a DNA test take?

With the usual technology, a couple of days. But there are exceptions. Even back in 2003, it was possible to do a DNA test in 12 hours (if cost is no object).

Since the US government generally has access to the newest tech (and especially the military, often involved in testing and debugging the newest tech) it seems likely that the 12 hour window has gotten shorter (for important purposes and people) in the last eight years. Fastest methods known to be in development: one hour DNA test!

So, since the helicopter is doable as well, the claims that have been made don't provide any grounds to suspect we have been lied to in this case. (Other than the generality that all truths may be half truths in the context of politics..)