The U.S. military has launched a special operations task force to break up Iranian influence in Iraq, according to U.S. News sources. The special operations mission, known as Task Force 16, was created late last year to target Iranians trafficking arms and training Shiite militia forces...The operation is modeled on Task Force 15, a clandestine cadre of Navy SEALs, Army Delta Force soldiers, and CIA operatives with a mission to capture or kill al Qaeda operatives and Baathist insurgents in Iraq.
Yes, a current day version of MACVSOG with a similar make-up and a similar mission.
Nobody wants to admit it but MACVSOG did not accomplish its mission of halting NVA infiltration to the South.
How on earth can we expect a small task force to stop infiltration in Iraq today along borders equal to California's?
I recommend assigning our major units, with all of their communications, vehicles, and airmobile assets to the job of stopping infiltration and allow TF16 along with USSF, Iraqi SF and police forces to work on those already in country.
That will get our troop units out of the deadly combat-in-cities environment in which the current rules of engagement put them at a disadvantage and out into the broad expanses where their vehicles and troops can maneuver effectively and quickly against infiltrators. And it puts those best trained in Counter-insurgency (COIN) tactics and techniques (including such skills as language, medical, PSYOPS, intel gathering, and special tactics) at work among the larger Iraqi populations where they too can do the most good.
It seems simple enough to me. Stop the infiltration while simultaneously cleaning up the existing infiltrators and the war is over with Iraq secure.
If we keep doing what we are doing we should expect to keep getting what we are getting. We are in our fourth year of trying to secure Iraq and Baghdad remains the most dangerous city in the world.
We are changing generals, That is a good thing only if they bring a strategy and tactics change. So far I see none of that. We need a four star who is trained and skilled at COIN. Unfortunately, we don't have one so conventional tactics as taught at West Point, CGSC and the War College prevail.
I predict LTG Daly will soon replace Doug Brown as USSOCOM Commander. His background is conventional and ranger. He is not SF. Daly's appreciation for SF skills can be seen in recent remarks in which he referred to SF as housesitters. |
