U.S. combat adviser mission in Iraq expands to battalion level

Andrew Tilghman, Military Times 4:34 p.m. EDT July 27, 2016

~Snip~

Garver said the bridge is a big step in preparing to attack the ISIS stronghold of Mosul by linking the Iraqi army’s main logistics hub in the Kurdish-controlled town of Makhmur to the forward-operating base and airfield at Qayyarah.

“Connecting Qayyarah West air base and Makhmur will greatly improve maneuverability and shorten lines of communication for the [Iraqi Security Forces] as they prepare for the eventual assault to liberate Mosul,” Garver said.

~Snip~

There are about 4,100 U.S. troops authorized to deploy to Iraq. Top commanders say additional troops may be necessary for the final invasion of Mosul, which may begin later this year.

Read more:
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/07/27/us-combat-advisor-mission-iraq-expands-battalion-level/87625432/

U.S. sending 560 more troops to Iraq as Mosul push intensifies

Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press 2:55 p.m. EDT July 11, 2016

BAGHDAD — The United States will send 560 more troops to Iraq to transform a freshly retaken air base into a staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture Mosul from Islamic State militants, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday. The new American forces should arrive in the coming weeks.

Most of the engineers, logistics personnel, security and communications forces will concentrate on building up Qayara air base, about 40 kilometers south of Mosul. They will assist Iraqi forces planning to encircle and eventually retake the biggest city anywhere that has fallen under ISIS' control.

~Snip~

Obama in April allowed U.S. troops to assist Iraqi forces at brigade and battalion levels, where they could operate closer to the battle. They would still be behind front lines. They previously were limited to advising at headquarters and division levels, further away.

Despite recent battlefield successes, the Islamic State still controls large parts of Iraq. And it continues to launch deadly attacks, including a massive suicide bombing last week at Baghdad's bustling commercial area of Karada. As many as 186 were killed.

Read more:
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/07/11/iraq-us-troops-deploy/86938318/

More US Troops Likely to Be Sent to Iraq: Gen. Votel

Jul 21, 2016 | by Richard Sisk

The U.S. will likely commit more troops to Iraq to bolster local forces against “specific objectives” in the campaign to retake the last ISIS main stronghold at Mosul, Army Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, said Wednesday.

“We will look to add additional capabilities that are necessary to accomplish our objectives,” Votel said. The extra troops would be in addition to the 560 recently authorized by President Obama to bring the Force Management Level to 4,657. “What we have tried to do is link our request for additional capabilities to specific objectives we’re trying to achieve,” he said.

Votel said the 560 troops authorized last week would be slated for deployment to the airfield called Quyara West about 40 miles southeast of Mosul, which was recently retaken by the Iraqis. The 560 troops have not begun to deploy to the airfield in any significant numbers, but Votel said he expected that to happen shortly.

Votel spoke with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at a joint news conference following the opening session of a meeting of defense ministers of more than 30 nations in the anti-ISIS coalition at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on boosting their contributions to the campaign.

Read more:
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/07/21/more-us-troops-likely-to-be-sent-to-iraq-gen-votel.html

Pentagon Chief Sees Role for U.S. Contractors in Rebuilding Iraq, Syria

By Jon Harper - Today

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina – Contractors could play a major role in efforts to stabilize and rebuild cities in Iraq and Syria after they are recaptured from the Islamic State, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter told reporters July 27 during a visit to meet with troops set to deploy to the Middle East.

The State Department, USAID and their coalition counterparts will be working with Iraqis and Syrians to provide humanitarian aid, support near-term stabilization and promote longer-term recovery, he noted during a speech to troops from the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps, some of whom will help lead the U.S. component of the counter-ISIL campaign.

There will “absolutely” be a significant role for U.S. contractors once Islamic State strongholds like the Iraqi city of Mosul fall, he said in response to a question from a reporter.

“I do think that much of the reconstruction effort will be done by civil authorities, not the Department of Defense," he said. “That’s going to be a big job.”...

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http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2261