Special operations increase possible for Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Special operations increase possible for Iraq
By Sean D. Naylor - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 1, 2008 6:15:51 EDT

The expected drawdown of conventional forces in Iraq initially will not be matched by a reduction in the number of U.S. special operations forces, which may even increase in number, according to several senior special operations officials.

However, when Afghanistan and Iraq are finally stabilized, U.S. special operations forces will shift their focus away from U.S. Central Command’s area of operations and toward East and Southeast Asia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Capabilities Kalev Sepp told the National Defense Industrial Association’s special operations and low-intensity conflict symposium Feb. 14 in Washington.

“As the Iraq situation evolves, more indirect means will be needed to support operations there,” said Sepp, referring to the anticipated need to train and advise Iraqi security forces. “There will be a continuing commitment to Iraq and U.S. interests there. This means that there will be more special operations forces needed in Iraq.”

When a reporter asked after his speech whether he meant that the number of U.S. special operations forces would increase as the U.S. conventional forces drew down, Sepp replied: “It’s possible.”

He said that what his boss, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities Michael Vickers, “wants understood is that if and when conventional forces ... begin to draw down, that does not mean that special forces will draw down at the same rate; that they will more likely remain at at least their current level of commitment.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/navy_specwar_033108w/