‘Non-combatant’ Troops Bound for Iraq

As many as 450 U.S. troops will deploy to Iraq, the Pentagon announced June 12. The troops will serve as part of a 60-nation coalition, intent on supporting the Iraqi army’s battle against Islamic State fighters, according to U.S. Central Command. They will operate from Taqaddum Air Base, in proximity to Anbar province and the town of Ramadi, which U.S. troops had fought to free from al-Qaida fighters between 2003 and 2006. Recently, Defense Secretary Ash Carter criticized the Iraqi army for showing “no will” to fight and defend Ramadi from Islamic State invaders. The town is now under IS control. Under the current mission, the U.S. troops and their coalition allies will “enhance Iraqi forces’ occupational planning and execution abilities, which ultimately will contribute to success on the battlefield,” said Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder during a June 12 interview with news media.