Back to Iraq?

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 08:15:56 -0400

With the authorization by the President for the use of our Air Forces, does this mean that we are getting sucked back into Iraq? I feel that we are about a month or so late to this party, as we should have done this to assist the Iraqi forces as soon as ISIS attacked Mosul, but that is my personal opinion. I am not advocating "boots on the ground" believe me, my son is in Kuwait at the moment and I do not want him to have to endure dealing with these assclowns if at all possible, regardless of how badly he wants a "combat patch", but I do think we should have provided them with air power assistance a while ago. Just wanted to see what my fellow veterans and currently serving brothers and sisters-in-arms think about it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 8:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 08:26:39 -0400

Having been to Iraq 3 times during OIF, I will tell you that I agree that we don't need to go back. I will also say that we were winning when I left. That being said, I agree that we should have intervened sooner to assist the GOI instead of watching 1/3 of the country fall to a terrorist organization from our couches.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 8 at 2014 8:43 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 08:43:49 -0400

This is a slippery slope for sure. First started with sending "advisers" back, now the Air Force. Geez, that sounds really familiar to another war this country got into doesn't it?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 8 at 2014 9:07 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 09:07:34 -0400

Just heard a report that the air strikes have started... guess we'll see where this leads.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Aug 8 at 2014 10:17 AM

SSG Pete Fleming — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 10:17:02 -0400

I think it's their problem. We did what we could to give them the tools needed to build a country. If this is the direction they wish to go... not our problem. We have enough issues here in the US to take care of. We are not the world police, or their parents. As nations go we are young, let some of the rest of the world do their part... enough is enough.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 8 at 2014 10:29 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 10:29:05 -0400

At this point, we are not dropping bombs to save American lives, only to delay ISIS's inevitable movement towards where our embassy and troops are. Even Superman in the comics had to come to the realization that he could not save everyone. Right now US trying to play Superman is not working especially when the situation is an internal struggle in another country. I say leave Iraq, comeback home and strengthen our defenses against the "I hate America" club whose membership both internally and externally, keeps growing by the hour. IMHO, many Americans are at the saturation point of enough is enough, I know I am.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 11:19 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 11:19:48 -0400

I understand all the sentiment of not wanting to do anything. And it is very disheartening that we left the Iraqi government the tools to go forward. And we did accomplish our mission. But in the bigger picture this is not just an Iraqi problem. With Islamic extremist everywhere this effects the world. But with the rest of the world with their heads up their *$% (except Israel) they leave the job to America to protect the world. We do have are hands full with Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Syria, Iraq. Hell where are we not involved. I don't profess to have any answers and it would sure help to have a real leader in the White House. If we are not careful the world will not exist the way we remember it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 11:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 11:54:14 -0400

It's a hard pill to swallow, but I feel that America has invested far too much in Iraq to just sit on the couch and turn a blind eye. I served in Iraq from 2008-2009 and again from 2011-2012 during the great push to pull everything out of Iraq. During this time frame, I have personally lost quite a few bothers and sisters. While the presidents air strike approval may be a little late to the "party," I personally feel it is a step in the right direction. Would I go back? In a heartbeat!

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 8 at 2014 12:29 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 12:29:21 -0400

So...our military hasn't yet recovered after pulling out of Iraq without achieving "Mission Complete" because the Iraqis are too busy fighting amongst themselves to maintain cohesion, and now we're sliding back in?

It's like Vietnam, only far far worse. And sandier.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 12:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 12:45:30 -0400

I completely agree to little way too late.. and do not even get me started on the general that was killed... these men and women are over there defending our country and waiting on an order that seems like it may never come .. and when it finally does we have lost lives that may have been able to be saved..

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 9 at 2014 1:26 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:26:45 -0400

On the positive side, maybe this will slow this drawdown nonsense... War is job security for us after all...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 1:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:36:53 -0400

Unfortunately, there are many in this country who will never learn. There are others who just want to learn the hard way.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 2:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 02:11:46 -0400

I think that our complete withdrawal from Iraq was a little premature. There was still work to be done. At the same time though, the Iraqi's that I dealt with didn't seem too terribly determined to fully take over security themselves.

If it were up to me, I'd rather not see us go back there. But it's not up to me.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 9 at 2014 11:26 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 11:26:05 -0400

Sadly, I think we can show time and time again that air strikes are nothing more then delay tactic. ISIS has a well trained army. Not the Spray and Pray type, but the bullets on target type. The only way to truly deal with an army is with an army...air strikes will only slow down and maybe take out some equipment. One of 2 decisions will have to be made in my opinion.... 1. complete pull out and let the sovereign nation of Iraq deal with this completely or 2. we go in with ground troops. I just don't see any other way around it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 1:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 13:11:57 -0400

I agree with you.

A change of rules should be agreed upon prior to starting round 3 in Iraq.

Ability of US commanders to institute Martial Law, disarm the locals of AK-47 assault riles in exchange for a good 'ol American made Smith and Wesson revolver (with six rounds of ammo), and declare a curfew between sunset and sunrise (cover of darkness is when most IEDs are deployed by "insurgents"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 2:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 14:35:02 -0400

What pisses me off is that we had some nice FOBs over there. If we have to go back we have to stand them all up again. I wonder how Taji and Warhorse are looking right now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 4:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:46:11 -0400

I have mixed views on this, I like many of my brothers and sisters in arms deployed to Iraq 4 different times all under the assumption that we were leaving our families behind to make a difference and to help people that couldn't fight for themselves. There are others who say these people have been fighting for one reason or another for hundreds of years. But it still makes my eye twitch when I think of all the sacrifices that so many made and didn't come home for us to be back at square one in this country. All the convoys, the nights out dragging jersey barriers up and down the roads so some sort of democracy could be voted in. It's just like Deja Vu all over again.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 8:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 20:46:09 -0400

Ive been there 3x. And while we have done a lot of good, its high time for the Iraqis to take some control. I do believe that we should have at least at a minimum of 3 QRF bases.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 8:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 20:32:30 -0400

I don't believe we will get boots on the ground again, if so, well, then you guessed right!