All that paper trail did was leave paper?
I think not.
People watched. People heard those maydays. People spoke. Someone said, “Stand down.”
There are witnesses to history. Lots of them. This isn’t really one of those ‘the office of so ‘n so’ edited....’ LOTS of people know the actual facts.
Some of our boys sat on tarmacs, suited up and ready to roll. Waiting. In full gear.
Moreover, the paper trail (electronic and physical) goes beyond the Department of State.