During the early twenty-first century, the world was profoundly affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, carried out by the group known as Al-Qaeda. The attacks initiated one of the most extensive manhunts in modern history for the man held responsible: Osama bin Laden. Nearly ten years later, during Operation Neptune Spear, he was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in a high-risk operation that ultimately succeeded, despite significant complications. The raid has previously been analysed by James J. Wirtz using William H. McRaven’s theory of special operations. McRaven’s framework can be divided into three components: the six principles, the concept of relative superiority, and operational success. Wirtz’s article primarily focused on the latter two. This thesis aims to extend Wirtz’s research by concentrating on the relationship between McRaven’s six principles and the achievement of relative superiority. Using a theory-consuming approach, the study is guided by the following research question: How did planning, preparation, and execution contribute to achieving relative superiority during Operation Neptune Spear? The findings align with several of Wirtz’s conclusions. McRaven’s theory offers a useful framework for analysing the operation, but it underemphasises certain principles such as adaptability and technological advantage that significantly influenced the outcome. The conclusion is that McRaven’s model remains relevant but requires context-sensitive application and critical consideration in modern operational analysis.