![\"last](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/last-convoy-out-of-Iraq.jpg\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nAccording to the Washington Post<\/a>, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that another infantry battalion (560 troops) is headed to Iraq while the secretary was at Baghdad Airport this morning. Iraqi troops recently took back Qayyarah Air Base from ISIS which will provide a launch pad for more operations against the terrorists;<\/p>\n The decision will elevate the number of U.S. troops the Pentagon counts in Iraq to 4,647. Unofficially, that figure is probably closer to 6,000 when it takes in a variety of American troops who deploy on temporary assignments that the Pentagon does not include in its official tally.<\/p>\n The additional service members will provide a variety of support to Iraqi forces, especially infrastructure and logistical capabilities, Pentagon officials said. They described the newly seized air base, Qayyarah Air Base, as an important springboard to take back the Islamic State-held city of Mosul, which is about 40 miles north.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Funny how that mission creep thing sneaks up on you, isn’t it? <\/p>\n According to the Post, the airbase was taken by Iraqis with the help of US airstrikes and the use of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS);<\/p>\n Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"HIMARS\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HIMARS-444x333.jpg\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n