Speaking today to reporters, Army Chief Gen. Ray Odierno termed the 1,600 US ground troops presently in Iraq a “good start,” but said that more will be heading to the country in the near future.
“We are going to increase a little bit,” Odierno said, though he declined to offer any details on the date or size of the new deployments. The Army chief also said he wouldn’t rule out having US special forces fighters embedded in Iraqi ground forces during combat.
“I don’t rule anything out. I don’t ever rule anything out personally,” he added. Gen. Odierno had said earlier this week that the war was going to require the use of ground troops, though Pentagon officials later backtracked on the comment.
Odierno went on to warn that the air war was getting tougher and ISIS is more difficult to target because they are “hiding” in cities now instead of being out in the open and “clearly identifiable.”
"Hiding" is called camouflage and concealment – every military is the world practices it. The US is unique in fighting all its wars with air superiority although a conflict with Russia might renew their interest in camouflage.
How much does it cost to eliminate 2 guys in a clapped out pickup with an old MMG of HMG? What if they decide to park the pickup in the open and sleep in a trench 200 yds, away? There is the cost of the laser guides bomb (?), 40 M aircraft; 2 G aircraft carrier, fuel, wear and tear on the equipment. etc. The only time a HMG or T55 tank is worth the cost of a bomb is when it is blocking some military action. Since there is basically little to no offensive action, there is no follow up to these airstrikes and its a losing proposition even if you hit what you are aiming at. Ask the Serbs, Afghans, Vietnamese etc. how easy it is to dramatically reduce the effectiveness of air power.
The whole thing is a giant money wasting venture with no real prospect of success. Every soldier above the rank of private knows this is for show, not for real.
Agreed. $1,500,000 missile takes out $50,000 pickup truck (or ex-US Humvee). Battle won. War lost!
"Ask the Serbs, Afghans, Vietnamese etc. how easy it is to dramatically reduce the effectiveness of air power. " Dead nuts on.
From what I hear, troops are being deployed to Iraq others are being prepared for departing. I think Obama is just making campaign chatter about "no boots on the ground" until after the November election.
Tell us again about "mission creep", Gen. Jesse Ventura?
This whole business reminds me of Michael Corleone in the Godfather saga; "Just when I thought i was out…."