Welp...Boots are now on the ground

[Separation]

http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140812/NEWS05/308120075/Pentagon-official-130-advisers-heading-northern-Iraq?sf29731114=1

ABOARD MILITARY AIRCRAFT, OVER THE BERING SEA — The military has sent 130 advisers to northern Iraq to plan for the evacuation of refugees under siege by Islamic militants, according to a senior Defense Department official.

The Marines and special operations forces have been sent to the city of Irbil in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq to assess the humanitarian crisis in the Sinjar mountains and ways to end it, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because officials were not authorized to speak publicly about the mission.

The plight of the refugees prompted President Obama to order airstrikes against the ISIS militants and humanitarian airdrops there last week. In an interview with USA Today Tuesday, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the military’s effort there could take months but will be limited. He added that the effect of the airstrikes had blunted the momentum of the military Islamic State group, and shipping heavier arms to Kurdish allies will help solidify the gains.

[morningfog]

1. That is another 130 pairs of boots in addition to the 775+ already on the ground.

The administration tries to parse it that these are not combat troops. But, some of the 900 or so certainly provide direct assistance to the undeniably combative jet pilots dropping bombs. Of course those combat pilots haven't yet put there boots on the ground, just the airspace. So.....Promise Kept!

In due time, the facade will come down completely.

[flamingdem]

4. Many of the jets are unmanned

so I've read.

[morningfog]

5. US fighter jets seem to be carrying out most of the strikes.

Some are by drone.

[onehandle]

2. LOL! There are hundreds of our military in the multi-billion dollar fortress and beyond in Iraq.

We never left Iraq. Anyone who believes so is kidding themselves.

[Separation]

3. But these guys are differant.

These are force recon, green berets, etc. these more than likely will be calling in air strikes. These troops won't be sitting in a vbied proof buildings in the green zone.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

6. and interestingly enough, both Halliburton and Cheveron have headquarters in Iribil

at least according to Thom Hartman. Ghee! Why am I not surprised?

[mwrguy]

7. There are already 300+ Army SF troops and an entire USMC FAST company

Most of the SF guys are out doing JTAC stuff, calling in strikes. That definitely makes them 'combat troops'.

FAST is almost all a bunch of pipe-hitters. They may be be in the green zone, but they are spun up to start shooting people.

[flamingdem]

8. What's a pipe hitter?

Military jargon or?

[mwrguy]

9. hard core violent types

I think the phrase was coined by Marsellus Wallace.