The Great War of Our Time: The CIA's Fight Against Terrorism--From Al Qa'ida to ISIS (47 page)

The moment we heard we’d gotten Bin Ladin, in the CIA director’s conference room, May 1, 2011.
(CIA photo)

Obama and his national security team discussing when to publicly announce the Bin Ladin operation, May 1, 2011.
(Official White House photo)

The night Bin Ladin was killed, crowds outside the White House were chanting “USA, USA, USA” and “CIA, CIA, CIA.” I never experienced anything like it.
(© 2011 Greg E. Mathieson Sr./MAI Photos)

Weapons found in Bin Ladin’s bedroom in Abbottabad.
(CIA photo)

A brick from Bin Ladin’s home in Abbottabad.
(Photo by author)

A charity basketball game Director Panetta and I played in on behalf of the Combined Federal Campaign.
(CIA photo)

The CIA departure ceremony for Leon Panetta as he leaves to become secretary of defense, June 2011. The emotion was heartfelt.
(CIA photo)

The announcement that John Brennan would be the next CIA director, January 7, 2013.
(Official White House photo)

Walking with President Obama along the West Wing colonnade following the announcement of John Brennan as the next CIA director, January 2013.
(Official White House photo)

A farewell gift to me from my security staff, a Washington Nationals jersey with my security call sign, August 2013. The 33 signifies the years I spent at the Agency.
(CIA photo)

At my going-away ceremony, August 2013. Director John Brennan displays the photo used for my first CIA badge in 1980.
(CIA photo)

A book of letters from employees, provided as a gift upon my retirement. The book has hundreds of pages, each containing four or five letters.
(Photo by author)

My most precious retirement gift: personal notes, framed together, from the two presidents I served most closely. Nothing better demonstrates the nonpartisanship of our country’s intelligence officers.
(Photo by author)