U.S. could expand Iraq footprint further in fight with Islamic State. Where do you stand on this issue? Why?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 03:38:57 -0400

The United States may further expand its military footprint in Iraq, the top U.S. general said Thursday, a day after the White House announced an increase in the American force there advising local troops on the fight against the Islamic State.

Speaking to reporters on an overseas trip, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin E. Dempsey said the United States may eventually make a decision to place U.S. advisers or trainers at additional locations across Iraq.

“We’re looking all the time on whether there might be additional sites necessary,” Dempsey said.

“Our campaign is built on establishing these . . . lily pads, if you will, that allow us to continue to encourage the Iraqi security forces forward,” he said. “And as they go forward, there may be a point where they exceed the reach of the particular lily pad.”

Dempsey spoke on the heels of Wednesday’s announcement that 450 additional service members would be sent to advise local troops and tribal fighters on a base in western Iraq, bringing the total U.S. force in the country to about 3,500.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-could-expand-iraq-footprint-further-in-fight-with-islamic-state/2015/06/11/5b8ac30c-1071-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html?tid=hpModule_04941f10-8a79-11e2-98d9-3012c1cd8d1e&hpid=z10

U.S. could expand Iraq footprint further in fight with Islamic State

Gen. Dempsey said sites allow U.S. advisers to help Iraqis plan offensives to reclaim militant-held cities.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 12 at 2015 3:45 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 03:45:46 -0400

Draw down my ass! Haven't other wars generally started as "sending in advisers/trainers?" I for one was all for pulling our people out of Iraq after the war was over.

I do know that the Iraqi police/Army of incapable of fighting terrorism, or they are terrorists themselves, or just plain don't give a crap and it looks bad on the US because we helped train and install them in place.

But I also think that maybe it's time we cut our losses and focus our efforts on defending America from within.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 12 at 2015 3:48 AM

PO3 David Fries — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 03:48:32 -0400

Of anything else, this is Vietnam all over again. Though somehow it's in reverse. We started in Vietnam with advisors and small groups, Fire Bases. I just have a bad feeling about this.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 12 at 2015 3:59 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 03:59:33 -0400

Air strikes, cruise missiles, more air strikes, more cruise missiles, a couple MOABs for good measure. We either have to accept failure or go all out and destroy the place.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jun 12 at 2015 4:59 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 16:59:03 -0400

I believe they should because ISIS must be stopped. Already 30,000 strong in Iraq and more like MARINES than ARMY. Very disciplined, very much in top shape and one mission. To fly their flag over the WH or the Capitol. They are already amassed in great numbers on our southern border. Thankfully, their one "attack" in Texas amounted to ISIS Dead 2 / U.S. Dead 0. That's not going to stop them. There are reports that say they are already inside the U.S. in large numbers plus we have to worry about the "lone wolf" attacks, weak-minded U.S. citizens whom have bought into the ISIS ideology on the Internet. (They are very adept in using Social Media websites to recruit) If you see unusual activity report it to your local FBI office.

Response by MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. made Jun 12 at 2015 5:08 PM

MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 17:08:21 -0400

Let's be real! Isis, Hamas, Hezbollah Boka Haram, Iran -- fueled by Arab oil- billionaires. Go to you tube and listen to Prime Minister Mr. Netanyahu for reality. Either we eliminate this threat with mass-force and total warfare, or as Sir Glubb Pasha wrote in, "Decline of Empires," we are bleeding ourselves in futility. Further, when a "restricted" war is conducted, seems to me many Viet Nam Veterans experienced the results of running a limited war from maps in the White House. Please read, " The tragedy and lessons of Viet Nam," By: Robert S. McNamara.

Response by SCPO Lee Pradia made Jun 12 at 2015 5:30 PM

SCPO Lee Pradia — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 17:30:19 -0400

UNESCO identifies 21 Arab states, why aren't those 21 Arab states fighting them? I keep hearing that ISIS is coming to US through Mexico, hell, I leave in Corpus Christi, TX, haven't seen one yet. If they do have the courage to come, then we'll deal with it. Now that said, we destroyed Iraq, we have and obligation to rebuild it, defend it until they could fend for themselves. Maybe Saddam wasn't as bad as we were meant to believe, tell you what, if he were there, would ISIS be running a muck? Probably not.