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Originally posted by FreedomEntered
Im glad to see on this thread people actually looking at the evidence and not just guessing
Originally posted by Golf66
Originally posted by NavyDoc
DEVGRU/JSOC types are very detail oriented. They woudn't dress up in a manner that screamed "military" and wear identifying insignia for something like this. They'd be a shaggy and unshaven and "average looking" as possible. (Look up "Robin Sage.")
We often agree, however, on this one there are degrees of agreement. Having worked in the community in cover "management" and in a counter surveillance training MTT you are right to a certain degree. The teams that are from DEVGRU/Delta and such and those who have training in ASOT are better at not looking like a loosely associated group of physical fitness buffs out for a day in their khaki pants, black polos and noticeably nondescript (non-branded) backpacks. The guys in training are so easy to spot it’s not even a real challenge because they are issued their gear.
If they are ASOT trained and Tier One operators they are failing...they stand out like a sore thumb in that photo. I don't find that likely. A two man team of Tier One operators on a covert operation will not dress identically unless that happens to validate their cover - say photographer/assistant etc.
Tier One operators acting on a mission that required anonymity won't stick out like this at all. However, the lower Tier teams with varying degrees of training do stick out - quite obviously in some cases.
When they deploy in groups it’s easy for me to spot them. How many groups of 4+ men, seemingly very fit hang out and check into the same hotel in gaggles? Eat together, drive in cars together, drink together, share rooms etc...
Hair can be grown, colored, shaved etc, beards can be grown and shaggy or chic, clothing can be regional, those things can all be managed by a good cover team. It is their Americanism's their manner, their dip addiction, the way they swagger, walk and even stand and interact with one another are the tells that give them away.
Remember these guys are not collectors or agents they are men of action their cover needs only be credible and plausible long enough to get in do the deed and get out.
I'm not going to comment on the more common covers they use as they are part of field craft but they are pretty thin really. They usually don't even have to withstand host nation LEO scrutiny as at some level they are informed.
Regarding the photo. Those two men are part of a military unit of some kind - who knows which one, they could be medics since they have identical black bags labeled with what look like numbers on them in tape on the handle - that suggests inventoried and issued items rather than personal gear that advanced operators/teams would have. They could have a buddy participating in their race, or any other number of plausible reasons for being there. However, the way they stand and interact screams unit cohesion/camaraderie of some kind. They are not hiding anything at all. If they are operators they are where they are supposed to be and they know no one is going to question them. One even has an access pass of some kind on his neck. (the one with the ear buds)
My guess is they are NG SF types (I think that there is a Company of one of the NG groups in Boston) playing some role in race management or control. Would be interesting to see their actions after the bomb went off to get a better feel.
Originally posted by NavyDoc
More likely is that these guys WANTED to look like agents or cops because, believe it or not, you can get quite a bit of access just by looking the part.
Here is the agreement -what better cover than a semi-official, quasi-military style military LEO look for a covert group of foreign agents or terror groups to use to gain unquestioned access to a fairly secure event? That with a semi-official looking pass and you can tool around talking into a ear piece and go gray... walk around like you belong and you are in charge and no low level cop wants to say anything because then they are admitting they are not in the "know" about who is all involved. Same with mid-level supervisors. Now they might be questioned by real spotters but not likely.
I don't think these are the bombers however, even though they look vaguely Middle Eastern. Again, they scream I am supposed to be here and part of some kind of unit as we are all dressed in similar clothing and have similar gear. If they are the actors in this scenario they are not foreign IMO based on my knowledge of KENSICs they appear American in the way they interact and stand.
To me they are clearly American. That doesn't rule out domestic actors I am afraid.
Also all the gear (and clothing) they have can be purchaced fairly cheap on any of the common LEO military web sites - US Cav, Cheaper than Dirt etc. That doesn't mean anything.
Originally posted by FreedomEntered
I actually think flying the Israeli police force over will do no good. The Al qaeda hate the Israelis and their occupation . It will just inflame things. I understand that Israelis are probably quicker at solving terrorist cases. But this does nothing for the USAs image. They will just see the Americans and Israelis as being equally united against them.
Originally posted by aivlas
reply to post by Taggart
Maybe, need timestamps for the originals. I first saw the picture in the post above yours at 3pm GMT and also think it's the most suspect.
If that is the bag which held the bomb and not just some random bag that was near the blast then it does seem likely that it is him, bags match up at least from what can be seen.edit on 17-4-2013 by aivlas because: (no reason given)edit on 17-4-2013 by aivlas because: letters wrong
Originally posted by aivlas
reply to post by ForwardDrift
Was thinking about it earlier and he could be holding it like that to avoid pickpockets? or because it's easier to drop it of course.
Originally posted by FreedomEntered
I actually think flying the Israeli police force over will do no good. The Al qaeda hate the Israelis and their occupation . It will just inflame things. I understand that Israelis are probably quicker at solving terrorist cases. But this does nothing for the USAs image. They will just see the Americans and Israelis as being equally united against them.
Originally posted by coop039
I dont know quite what to make of these pics yet.
However, to all you guys taking about the ear piece, are you serious? You act like youve never seen a person with an earbud in before. Good lord, people everywhere keep one ear bud in to listen to music or talk on the phone while still be able to hear whats going on around them. I do it, and I see people everywhere doing it, the grocery store, the gas station, at the chinese buffet!