It was also very politically sensitive. Besides the European uproar (BTW, thanks to Mrs. Thatcher for letting it go. Not so much to France and Spain), Washington was not sure how the American public would react so they wanted it kept low key.
The USAF went even further and practically swept it under the rug. One of the guys interviewed was the vice-wing commander of the the 48th at the time. He has written his own book, "Raid on Qaddafi," and both in that and in my conversations with him, he was p1ssed about how the Air Force treated the crews.
Also, there were/are many terrorist security concerns both for the crews and their families and for the UK. More than a few of the aircrew did not want to talk about the mission nor have their names released. The ones in the story agreed to callsigns and last names, but not full names.
The crew of Karma 62 received Purple Hearts and DFCs. They left wives and children behind. RIP, gentlemen.
But, to get the thread back on course, my posting it was to highlight the SR-71's overflight of the formation.