I have a tough time believing this is a cover up but there are two major things that stick out around tactics used. Typically, for high value target grabs Seals are sent first in small teams with QRF (quick reaction force) as backup and they walk in from distance for purposes of stealth. Typically, QRF teams are made up of Rangers or larger infantry groups unless they simply aren't available at the time of a mission. Seals aren't commonly used as a QRF nor are Delta as they don't have numbers, they operate in small groups and QRF's are typically show of force.
Second, Chinooks normally have Apache escorts as they are giant bullseyes in the sky. When landing hot, Apache's normally soften up the LZ to clear out potential high power ground weapons and any potential effective small arms fire. It's this same reason that cas-evac Chinooks won't get clearance to fly into any area deemed hot as they are high risk aircraft. So the question here is was the LZ hot at the time of insertion, I haven't read enough to line up the exact details.
While I find the cover-up angle hard to believe, the tactics could probably be questioned. That said, in reality, there are a dozen or more examples of poor tactics from the conflict in Afghanistan. It's a common theme when you have multiple forces in country, multiple disparate commands, clandestine personnel, US + foreign government interest and local government interest to plan around. Lots of bad decisions get made both in planning and contingency decision making. (everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth)
Last point, if you recall......Lone Survivor/Operation Redwing is another example of a Chinook being taken down with RPG fire. Having been in country, the copters are flying at eye level when approaching the side of a mountain. Shooting up from the ground with say 100 yards or more of distance, makes an RPG almost useless but 25 yards at call it 10 feet of ground clearance makes it a giant slow moving with target that's much easier to hit.
Again, there are dozens of examples of poorly planned missions and execution.
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