![\"last](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/last-convoy-out-of-Iraq.jpg\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nThe week that the Pentagon nearly doubled the number of US troops in Iraq, outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel told CNN that the US may need ground combat troops in Iraq to turn back the Islamic State according to Military.com<\/a>;<\/p>\n “I think it may require a forward deployment of some of our troops,\u201d Hagel as quoted telling CNN. “Not doing the fighting. Not doing the combat work that we did at one time for six years in Iraq … But to help airstrike precision … Those are things where we could continue support.”<\/p>\n “It could be necessary,” Hagel said. “It could be, but I’m not willing to say that it will be necessary.”<\/p>\n Hagel told CNN that President Obama directed Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey and Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of U.S. Central Command, to let him know if they require additional military options in the fight in Iraq and Syria.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n With 3,000 troops already in Iraq assisting the Iraqis and the Syrian rebels, it’s more like a foregone conclusion at this point. Hagel is the third Secretary of Defense during the six years of this presidency and as each one leaves, they give us a peek into the defense planning, usually the decisions that will raise the most hackles among the American public. So, just get used to the idea now.<\/p>\n By the way, the picture at the top of the page is the last convoy out of Iraq, the last time we left four years ago. In case you forgot what it looked like.<\/p>\n Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"