CNN: Top general: U.S. should consider boots on ground in Iraq
Washington (CNN)The top Army general said Wednesday that the U.S should consider embedding soldiers in Iraq if the battle against ISIS doesn't improve.
"If we find in the next several months that we aren't making progress, we should absolutely consider embedding some soldiers (in Iraq)," Gen. Raymond Odierno, outgoing Army chief of staff, said in response to a CNN question about putting troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria at his final press conference. He called it an "option we should present to the President."
But he stopped short of making the same suggestion in Syria.
"Syria is different," he said.
Odierno rejected the idea, however, of the U.S. taking over the fight against ISIS: "I absolutely believe the region has to solve this problem. The U.S. can't solve this."
WNU Editor: General Odierno's partition suggestion is not going over well in Iraq .... Iraq's PM office says U.S. general's comments on partition 'irresponsible' (Reuters). The Pentagon is also cool to the idea .... Pentagon Still Against US Combat Troops in Iraq Despite Odierno’s Comments
More News On U.S. Army General Odierno's Call For U.S. Soldiers To Be Embedded With Iraqi Forces
Some U.S. troops may be needed on ground in Iraq: retiring Army chief -- Reuters
Retiring Army Chief: Some US Troops May Be Needed on Ground in Iraq -- VOA
Outgoing US Army Chief Urges Considering Boots on the Ground In Islamic State Fight -- Vice News
US general calls for boots on ground in Iraq -- Independent.ie
Ray Odierno: U.S. troops needed in Iraq -- Washington Times
Departing US army chief says Iraq may have to be partitioned -- Reuters
US Army Chief: Iraq May Have to be Partitioned -- Bas News
Departing US Army chief won’t rule out Iraq’s partition -- Rudaw
1 comment:
With over 4 years serving at the highest levels of command in Iraq, it is arguable that retiring Army Chief of Staff GEN Ray Odierno is the World's expert on fighting in Iraq so it isn't surprising he spent much of his 12 Aug final Pentagon press conference reflecting on Iraq.
“I believe that if we find in the next several months we’re not making the progress … we should probably absolutely consider embedding some soldiers with them, see if that would make a difference,” GEN Odierno said. In the past he has said that embedding US troops, who have been training and advising the Iraqis since last year “probably would make them more effective.”
This would not be a new concept. During the Vietnam War we embedded US Advisor in all Republic of Viet Nam (RVN) combat formations and it proved very effective. Although the US might have technically lost the War, it is indisputable that no US Forces or any of our RVN allies with embedded advisors were ever defeated on the battlefield.
As an Infantry Advisor during an extended tour, I came to admire the fighting spirit and bravery of the ARVN Soldier but their leadership was unimpressive and lacked initiative. We did not command the ARVN units but once we had proven our competence, when we spoke our ARVN counterparts accepted our advice "like they had heard it from a burning bush." Embedded US Troops provided the leadership that the ARVN units needed to become an effective fighting force. I don't know if US Advisors would have the same effect on Iraqi combat formations but it would certainly worth a try but embedding US Advisors in Iraqi Combat Units is not without risks. US Advisors are “boots on the ground” as you can’t call adjust artillery, direct air support or laze targets from the rear - to SEE the target you must be out front where the danger is.
For a full treatment of this subject, check out my Blog article at: http://old-soldier-colonel.blogspot.com/2015/08/retiring-army-chief-of-staff-gen-ray.html
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