Everybody is reading way too much into this. They were all issued "gag orders" which say "You will never disclose in any such way the existence of this operatio

Everybody is reading way too much into this. They were all issued "gag orders" which say "You will never disclose in any such way the existence of this operation". These orders also specify "If this operation is ever leaked into to public awareness you will outright deny knowledge and participation of said operation". They are legally forced to do this.