Article

2016-03-22 Iraq

Second attack on U.S. Marine firebase in Iraq

[CNN] For the second time in three days, the first U.S. military firebase in Iraq has come under attack from ISIS. The base, known as Firebase Bell, came under small arms fire from a group of about 10 ISIS fighters who also attacked a nearby U.S./Iraqi installation at Makhmur in northern Iraq.

No U.S. personnel were wounded, and at least two ISIS fighters were killed, according to Army Col. Steve Warren, the coalition spokesman. Warren said he didn't have an exact distance of how close the gunmen came to the U.S. security perimeter, saying only "a couple of hundred meters, I would assume."

The remaining attackers "ran away in fear," Warren said.

A U.S. Marine stationed at Firebase Bell was killed by an ISIS Katyusha rocket attack on Saturday. Eight U.S. troops were also wounded in the attack. Three were medivaced to Germany where one is described as having serious injuries a defense official told CNN.

The U.S. believes the firebase was deliberately targeted by ISIS fighters who were aware it was there, Warren said. He noted the helicopters bringing in troops and equipment were readily visible. But the defense official noted that there are several ways ISIS could have learned the Marines were there, "You can't hide 200 Marines," the official said.

The U.S. currently has between 4,500 and 5,000 troops in Iraq on a regular basis, about 1,000 over the stated limit. This includes the 200 Marines that are at the firebase along with 200 special operations forces whose presence is not publicly acknowledged the official said.

The coalition refused to publicly reveal the exact number of U.S. troops currently in Iraq, with Warren only telling reporters that it was within 3,870 troops. "There's been a decision made not to release that number," he said.

Warren added that Congress had been informed of the methodology the military used to calculate troop levels.

On Sunday, the coalition announced that in consultation with the government of Iraq, the U.S. "has assigned a detachment of U.S. Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the support of Iraqi Security Force and Coalition ground operations. The detachment from the 26th MEU will add to the Marines and Sailors currently in Iraq" supporting the effort against ISIS."

The U.S has similar artillery at two other large Iraqi bases, but Bell is the only known firebase. That terminology signifies this is a small remote location designed to use its artillery to support infantry troops at forward locations.

The Marines will be using their field artillery, including the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, in the coming weeks to help defend Iraqi troops as they move towards Mosul. For now, the artillery is to defend another nearby base where American troops are getting 5,000 Iraqi forces ready for the operation to retake Mosul.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-03-22 04:07|| || Front Page|| [17 views ] Top

#1 Bell came under SAF (Small Arms Fire) but only 2 of the 10 attackers were killed? Counted ten did you? Air support? Pursuit?

The remaining attackers "ran away in fear," Warren said.

Fear? A ten man ISIS element engages a Marine fire base with SAF out of fear? It was a probing attack Colonel. They were simply doing as instructed. Please terminate the Pentagon drivel and get those people ready for the main attack. Is having a Marine fire base overrun with U.S. captives led away a regime 'legacy' for an incoming pub administration ?

Posted by Besoeker 2016-03-22 04:28|| 2016-03-22 04:28|| Front Page Top

#2 The Daily Beast: ISIS Knew Just Where to Hit These U.S. Marines

"The U.S. military quietly acknowledged that the line between offensive and defensive warfare in Iraq blurred in Makhmour, as many expect the fire base to be part of the eventual fight to reclaim Mosul. Moreover, the defense officials said the fire base was to be the first of several, though they stopped short of specifics.

Even though they were at the front lines of the push toward Mosul, the Marines did not count in the U.S. military’s official figures of troops in Iraq. Rather they were listed as serving a temporary-duty assignment and therefore not part of the official 3,870 count of troops in Iraq [File under "How to Cook The Books - VRWC] . Up until Monday, the U.S. military has said fighting troops were part of their official figures."

Posted by Vast Right Wing Conspiracy 2016-03-22 09:32|| 2016-03-22 09:32|| Front Page Top

#3 Rather they were listed as serving a temporary-duty assignment and therefore not part of the official 3,870 count of troops in Iraq [File under "How to Cook The Books -

Yep, rotating 179 days of TDY just like the lst SFG(A) from Okinawa to Vietnam.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-03-22 09:58|| 2016-03-22 09:58|| Front Page Top

#4 What would Putin do?

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2016-03-22 09:59|| 2016-03-22 09:59|| Front Page Top

#5 the Marines did not count in the U.S. military’s official figures of troops in Iraq. Rather they were listed as serving a temporary-duty assignment and therefore not part of the official 3,870 count of troops in Iraq

Called it yesterday. And no - it won't be 179. More like 89. Six-month amphib deployments to the Gulf are passé.

Posted by Pappy 2016-03-22 10:49|| 2016-03-22 10:49|| Front Page Top

#6 The liberation of Mosul had better begin soon.

And it had better be successfully and quickly executed.

Posted by lord garth 2016-03-22 11:07|| 2016-03-22 11:07|| Front Page Top

#7 It's the third liberation of Mosul.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2016-03-22 15:19|| 2016-03-22 15:19|| Front Page Top

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