Tuesday, November 11, 2014

U.S. Troops Return To Iraq's Anbar Province



US Troops Arrive In Iraq's Anbar Province Amid ISIS Fight -- FOX News

A team of about 50 military personnel are visiting a U.S. military airbase in Iraq’s Anbar province after President Obama authorized the deployment of up to 1,500 more American troops to bolster Iraqi forces in the region in the fight against the Islamic State.

A Defense Department spokesperson confirmed to Fox News that the group was visiting the Al-Asad Air Base to “conduct a site survey of facilities for potential future use as an advise and assist operation location in support of Iraq Security Forces.”

The spokesperson added that some of the personnel were carrying weapons, but strictly to protect the force.

Read more ....

More News On the First U.S. Troops Arriving In Anbar

Islamic state crisis: US troops sent into Iraq's Anbar -- BBC
Dozens of U.S. troops on ground in Iraq's restive Anbar province -- Reuters
Pentagon: 50 US Troops Arrive in Western Iraq -- Defense News
US sends 1st delegation to Anbar to survey support sites -- Stars and Stripes
U.S. troops back in Iraq’s Anbar, scene of heaviest combat of 2003-11 war -- McClatchy News
50 US troops arrive in western Iraq: Pentagon -- AFP
Advance Team of US Troops Arrives in Anbar -- VOA
U.S. Troops Back in Iraq’s Anbar Province Where ISIS Holds Sway -- Military.com

6 comments:

Orion said...

That was my post.

'site survey'. LOL More like 'update the records' - That was a massive US base in Iraq and we know it intimately well. I'll bet the Rotorhead Cafe is still right there about a mile from our hangars towards the tower.

Orion

War News Updates Editor said...

I suspect that you have an interesting story or two on your experiences there Orion.

Orion said...

One or two...I was, of course, an Airborne Ranger SEAL with the Green Berets...but I did a lot of detached duty with the SAS. ;-) (I was an mechanic - an E-5 squad leader with a Chinook company and loved it. Sounds weird to say - I went to war and had a great time! - but I had the best squad in the best unit in the US Army and the numbers to prove it.) True story - I got a medal for typing above and beyond the call of duty. :) (Well, that's not the exact citation, but close enough. LOL)

There are days I really miss being there, which is even stranger...No one said I had to make sense!

Orion

Unknown said...

"The spokesperson added that some of the personnel were carrying weapons, but strictly to protect the force."

I have a problem with this statement.

Unlike when Hit 1st got overrun, I no longer think that Al Asad will fall or be under severe pressure.

But I would think everyone of those 50 personnel would carry at least 9 mm.

The use of the word "some" or the actuality of it seems to reflect a blase attitude among people high up.

War News Updates Editor said...

You sound like my dad Orion. When he was alive he always talked about how terrible the war was .... but later on he always remembered the unique moments .... the soldiers and people he got to know .... the humor .... the camaraderie .... etc.

James said...

Orion,
It's not being weird, it was a time of being alive with a capital A.