1st AD commander looks ahead to next fight against ISIS

As Iraq marks and celebrates the successful campaign to recapture Tal Afar, the mission for U.S. advisers in the country is far from over.

Thousands of U.S. troops, including about 400 from the 1st Armored Division’s headquarters, remain in Iraq to advise, assist and train Iraqi forces as they continue to root out the Islamic State terror group.

“While we’re not in four-man stacks with night vision goggles, throwing grenades and kicking doors down, what we are doing is training the Iraqis in tactics and doctrine that will help them execute the mission,” said Maj. Gen. Pat White, the commanding general of the 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

Officials announced Aug. 31 that, just 11 days after launching the offensive, Iraqi Security Forces had defeated ISIS in Tal Afar. The operation was the Iraqis’ largest since the brutal, months-long slog to liberate Mosul.