MG Dana Pittard and MSgt Wes Bryant discuss Hunting the Caliphate. Ask questions below about America's War on ISIS?

2019-09-12T09:46:13-04:00

MG Dana Pittard and MSgt Wes Bryant will be here on 9/19 at 2PM EST to discuss the book Hunting the Caliphate: America's War on ISIS and the Dawn of the Strike Cell. Please ask questions below about America's War on ISIS.

DANA J.H. PITTARD retired from the U.S. Army in 2015 at the rank of Major General after thirty-four years of active duty service. He was a highly decorated combat leader and commanded units at every echelon from platoon through division, including multiple combat tours in Iraq and the Middle East. In 2014, he was chosen to lead the initial U.S. response to halt the aggressive spread of ISIS in Iraq. Dana has earned a B.S. from West Point, a master’s degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as a Senior Fellow. He is currently a vice president with a manufacturing company in Indiana where he lives with his wife Lucille and their two sons. For more on Dana visit him at http://www.danajhpittard.com.

WES J. BRYANT retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018 at the rank of Master Sergeant after twenty years of active duty service. Embedded with Special Forces teams under a Navy SEAL task force, Wes was the tactical lead for a contingent of special operations JTACs to first set foot in Iraq to stop ISIS. As the senior enlisted JTAC to establish the BIAP Strike Cell, Bryant coordinated and controlled the first airstrikes against ISIS in the Baghdad region. He later deployed as the senior Special Tactics JTAC for special operations task forces hunting ISIS in Syria and Afghanistan.

Wes earned a bachelor’s in Asian Studies from the University of Maryland University College. He’s been a lifelong writer, amateur philosopher, and an avid student of the martial arts. He currently pursues writing and editing and teaches Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi in his community in North Carolina, where he lives with his wife, Katie, and their two daughters. Wes’ work can be found at http://www.wesjbryant.com.

DANA J.H. PITTARD – Author | Triathlete | Speaker | Ret. U.S. Army Officer

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 12 at 2019 9:53 AM

2019-09-12T09:53:04-04:00

Thank you for the informative share General.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2019 11:11 AM

2019-09-12T11:11:06-04:00

It would seem that after some years of dawdling, a change in strategy enabled and resourced a decisive win against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Could you illuminate on why it is that we seem to be largely ignoring ISIS element in Libya, specifically in Benghazi, Al Bayda, and Al Qubah?
This area seems to be one that they are building up a base of support, threating European Allies and Egypt. We seem to be content to watch four factions fight over the carcass of Libya, while these characters lie in wait to spring their next operation.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 12 at 2019 11:17 AM

2019-09-12T11:17:19-04:00

First, thank you gentlemen for your service and for taking the time to share your experience with us on RP. I have two questions - First for MG Pittard: In looking at the dynamics of the battle space what are your thoughts in regards to the CoC and the integration of big data and a more autonomous ability to engage combatants by NCO's? Mainly thinking of the speed to engagement/OP tempo.
For MSgt Bryant, What are your thoughts on the A-10 and the future of CAS and what would you prefer working with, drone or fast mover pilots in regards to JTAC?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 12 at 2019 4:52 PM

2019-09-12T16:52:43-04:00

Thanks for stopping by gentlemen. The book sounds interesting. My question is, as ISIS lose geographic territory and frontline fighters, what can be done to ferret out radicalized sleepers who migrate out from the area and/or can the radicalized be identified and deprogrammed; and who are the best to do that work?

MG Dana Pittard, I just wanted to say I fell under your command at Ft. Bliss about 10ish years ago and--insofar as someone like me can fairly judge--through the many division changes and growth of the post, you ran 1st AD as well I could imagine.

Lastly, we met briefly at a training FOB at Bliss in 2012. In fact, if I were ever memorable to you, it would only be because I probably broke the sound barrier whipping up what was the fastest salute I've EVER done, once I recognized it was you and your high-ranking entourage walking directly towards me, while my fellow Joes chickened out and took off in the other direction! LOL!

Response by Tim Neely made Sep 12 at 2019 7:24 PM

2019-09-12T19:24:12-04:00

Seems ISIS insurgents were not as barbaric as Philippine insurgents during the Philippine-American War. The commander of US forces, General Otis, noted that many American soldier prisoners were tortured in "fiendish fashion" by the Filipinos. I've only heard of a few isolated cases of American soldiers being tortured by ISIS. So, it seems they were not as barbaric as the Filipinos.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2019 8:43 PM

2019-09-13T20:43:54-04:00

I knew I recognized his face! MG Pittard was my division commander when I was assigned to 1st Armored. He shook my hand as I was getting on the bird for my first deployment, I'll never forget that 30 second moment.

Response by Sara Lucas made Sep 14 at 2019 12:01 AM

2019-09-14T00:01:24-04:00

Just got this book can't wait To start

Response by PO2 Michael Martin made Sep 17 at 2019 11:24 AM

2019-09-17T11:24:35-04:00

MG,
I would like to express my greatest appreciation for your many years of service to our country. People like yourself set a standard for everyone coming into service, a standard that always tests your physical and mental abilities to the edge, right to the limit. As a result of this, we have the sharpest , hardest working, relentless people in our military. I'm proud to know that you were on watch and I could sleep better knowing this.

Thank You Sir,
SK2 Martin

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 18 at 2019 12:12 AM

2019-09-18T00:12:51-04:00

MSgt Wes Bryant & MG Dana Pittard, thanks for joining us. I’m already three chapters in and really enjoying the read about “ISIS Rising”. As you look back on writing this book from two unique backgrounds & military experiences, was there ever a moment (or series of moments) when you were surprised by the perspective of the other author?

Response by SPC Jeffrey Swanson made Sep 18 at 2019 11:06 AM

2019-09-18T11:06:13-04:00

Right on Cowboy

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2019 5:14 PM

2019-09-18T17:14:42-04:00

MG Dana Pittard ... Sir this looks like a great read on the campaign against ISIS.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 19 at 2019 9:27 AM

2019-09-19T09:27:21-04:00

Why was this initiated?

Response by SCPO Jeff Conz made Sep 19 at 2019 9:48 AM

2019-09-19T09:48:46-04:00

Get them and stay safe!

Response by CPT Tommy Curtis made Sep 19 at 2019 1:02 PM

2019-09-19T13:02:46-04:00

Will the caliphate ever truly be destroyed? They are likened to the hydra, cut off one and another springs up.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 19 at 2019 1:47 PM

2019-09-19T13:47:28-04:00

What was the hardest day you had during this whole experience hunting ISIS? What do you remember the most about it?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 20 at 2019 11:58 AM

2019-09-20T11:58:33-04:00

I'm gonna have to read this book...sounds awesome.

Response by CPL Alynn Beyer made Sep 26 at 2019 9:04 PM

2019-09-26T21:04:45-04:00

It was an honor to have at that time COL. Pittard In charge of our AO during our deployment. We were at FOB Warhorse along with the Big Red 1. Sir you were the epitome of leadership. You treated the C Co 141 ECB with upmost respect and dignity. The way you honored our fallen showed great respect and love towards troops under your command. You fought hard to see to it we Trailblazers had the equipment we needed to continue our route clearance mission and secure our assigned routes. Thank you again Sir it was an honor.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2019 2:50 PM

2019-09-27T14:50:47-04:00

MG Pittard, MSgt Bryant:

First thank you both for a lifetime of Service to this nation, defending its Constitution, and its people.

I had the great honor to serve in two different tours, in two different Branches, in three different units, in the 1AD. In my second, I was honored to serve under MG Pittard. In my first days as a newly pinned IRON MAJOR, I was humbled when (then) COL Hamilton sent me in his stead to represent the 212th Fires Brigade at board to inquiry 1AD fatalities. I was impressed that the DIV Commander took time out of his personal calendar to dive into the details of each and every fatality, and try our damnedest to prevent re-occurrence. Open kimono, lets get to the bottom of this - every Soldier in my Command deserves this due diligence. Humbling.

In 2014 I transferred from 212th FiB to (on paper) the 1AD staff in order to deploy to the USCENTCOM AOR with the 1AD TAC FWD in Jordan. It was hush hush then, but it's a matter of record now. CENTCOM Forward - Jordan watched as the "Arab Spring" of 2013 turned into full Civil War in Syria in 2014. We did what we could, but our hands were tied.

I appreciate you continuing to bring your insights of that time, and this issue, to the future leaders of this great US Army and the Joint Force.

HOOAH, Sir, IRON SOLDIERS

Response by SSgt Dee O'Connor made Oct 6 at 2019 11:32 PM

2019-10-06T23:32:11-04:00

Thank you for your service and the information.

Response by Wayne Soares made Jun 11 at 2020 8:39 AM

2020-06-11T08:39:43-04:00

Thanks for your service sir