SecDef Carter Says More Troops Headed for Iraq - effort to liberate Mosul

On 28 September 2016,US Defense Secretary Ash Carter issued a statement on additional support for the anti-ISIL Operation Inherent Resolve:
In anticipation of the Mosul fight,the United States and the government of Iraq have agreed that additional US and coalition capabilities could help accelerate the campaign at this critical phase.At the request of myself and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dunford,and with the support and approval of Prime Minister Abadi,President Obama has authorised approximately 600 additional US troops to further enable Iraqi forces.The troops,in close coordination with the government of Iraq,will provide specific capabilities including logistics and maintenance support;train,advise and assist teams for ISF and Kurdish Peshmerga for the upcoming Mosul operation;and expanded intelligence resources to help disrupt ISIL'S terrorist network in Iraq and beyond.
The US will continue to stay in close contact with our Iraqi partners as efforts to retake Mosul progress,including the role that the international coalition can continue to play in helping the Iraqi government defeat ISIL.*
For example,On 23 September,US Army Lieutenant General Stephen J. Townsend,commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve,visited Task Force Strike,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Qayyarah West Airfield,Iraq.Soldiers with the Army's 320th Field Artillery Regiment have been supporting Iraqi Security Forces by executing fire missions against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant militants with such weapons as the M777 Howitzer.The HiMARS artillery rocket system has also been used by US troops against ISIL in both Iraq and Syria.

Afghan War Strategy:Building on Success with Greater Flexibility

On the third leg of his major overseas trip,US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter met in Kabul,Afghanistan with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr.Abdullah Abdullah yesterday 12 July,as well as the Afghan defence and interior ministers.Dr.Carter had previously attended the NATO Warsaw Summit and secretly traveled to Baghdad,Iraq on 11 July.
In a Kabul news conference,Dr.Carter said he and the Afghan leaders discussed:
1.the US commitments to enhance the authorities of our ground commanders;
2.maintain our financial commitment to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces;and
3.retain a more substantial US force presence of 8400 troops into 2017 as they continue their twofold mission against the Taliban and other Islamist extremist militants of training,advising and assisting the ANDSF,along with counterterrorism support.*
The meetings reaffirmed to me that we have strong partners here,with a common vision focused on a secure and prosperous future for the Afghan people,Dr.Carter noted.At the Warsaw Summit,coalition partners confirmed their commitment of financial sustainment to the ANDSF and of the Resolute Support Mission.Carter commended the ANDSF for fighting courageously last year during a tough fighting season and for their continued dedication in the face of formidable challenges this year.We are looking to build on their successes to find ways to support and enable them more effectively,he added.He and commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General John Nicholson,US Army,discussed President Barack Obama's decision to grant additional flexibility in the use of U.S. forces.This added flexibility,coupled with new integration of the A-29 and MD-530 close air support platforms,reflects our determination to seize every opportunity possible to use our resources in the theatre to the greatest possible effectiveness.*
We're with you.We stand by you and we will continue to work hard together to finish the mission we started,Dr.Carter assured the Afghan people.He thanked the American,NATO and Afghan troops who have served and sacrificed together over the past 15 years in the name of peace,security and freedom,and who continue that mission today.*
The Embraer A-29 Super Tucano Ground Attack aircraft was selected by the US Air Force for its Light Air Support Program in 2013,with the immediate intent of supplying it to Afghanistan,and then to other US allies.This Brazilian airplane is a vital element of the US Afghan strategy supporting the development of an indigenous Afghan Air Force.The MD-530F Close Air Attack helicopter is being used both in a counterterrorist role and as a trainer for Afghan Air Force pilots of their Russian Mi-17 transport and Mi-35 attack helicopters.

SecDef Sets Forth Strategy at EUCOM Change of Command Ceremony

General Curtis M. Scaparrotti,US Army,assumed command of US European Command on 3 May in Stuttgart,Germany and NATO forces as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on 4 May in Mons,Belgium.He replaces General Philip Breedlove who is retiring after three years in the conjointly held posts.Described as being intelligent,deliberate and personable,General Scaparrotti has previously held commands in Iraq,Afghanistan,the Pentagon and the Republic of Korea.*
At the EUCOM change of command ceremony at Stuttgart's Patch Barracks,US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter described the US view of the challenges faced by NATO and the steps being taken to address them.EUCOM covers 51 countries in Europe and Eurasia,including Israel,Afghanistan and the NATO allies.
Under General Breedlove's leadership,Mr.Carter said,NATO forces have been writing a new playbook.They've been innovating to counter new challenges like cyber and hybrid warfare;integrating conventional and nuclear deterrence;and adjusting our posture and presence so that we can be more agile in responding to new threats.The NATO force that General Breedlove leaves behind is stronger than the one he inherited.*
We haven't had to prioritise deterrence on NATO's Eastern Flank for the past 25 years;but while I wish it were otherwise,now we have to,despite the progress that we've made together since the end of the Cold War.We must demonstrate to potential foes that,if they start a war,we have the capabilities and capacity to ensure they regret it;because for a force to deter a conflict,it must show that it can dominate a conflict.*
Russia has appeared in recent years intent to erode the principled international order that has served us,our friends and allies,the international community,and Russia itself,so well for so long.Russia continues to violate the territorial integrity of Ukraine,Georgia and Moldova,and actively seeks to intimidate its Baltic neighbours.At sea and on land,in the air and space and cyberspace,Russian actors have engaged in challenging international norms-and,most disturbing,Moscow's nuclear sabre-rattling raises troubling questions about Russian commitment to strategic stability;their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons;and whether they respect the profound caution that nuclear age leaders showed with respect to the brandishing of nuclear weapons.*
In response,the US is taking a strong and balanced approach to counter Russia's aggression.We're strengthening our capabilities,our posture,our investments,our plans and our allies and partners,all without closing the door to working with Russia where our interests align,and we will continue to make clear that Russia's aggressive actions only serve to further its isolation and unite our alliance.Since Russia began its illegal attempt to annex Crimea a little over two years ago,the US has made valuable investments in reinforcing our NATO allies.For example,we're contributing to NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF),and stepping up our training and exercises under Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Our recent budget submission builds on that significantly.To further reinforce our NATO allies and build our deterrence posture in the face of Russia's aggression,this budget significantly increases funding for our European Reassurance Initiative,making a total investment of 3.4 billion dollars for this year,fiscal year 2017,which more than quadruples the amount we requested last year.This will allow us to increase the amount of warfighting equipment as well as the number of US forces,including reserve forces,rotating through Europe to engage with friends and allies.This increase supports head-to-toe rotations that maintain the persistent presence of an Armoured Brigade Combat Team,which will give us a total of three BCTs continuously present in Europe.It supports more training and exercises with our European allies and friends.It supports more warfighting gear,including forward-stationing equipment for an additional Armoured Brigade Combat Team by the end of 2017.It also supports the pre-positioning of equipment for a division headquarters and other enablers in Europe,such as this equipment,and along with assigned Army Airborne and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams,and Marine Corps heavy vehicles and equipment already in Europe.
All this will allow us to rapidly form a highly capable combined arms ground force of division-plus strength that can respond theatre-wide if necessary-and it helps strengthen our regional air superiority posture,among other things allowing us to keep an additional F-15C tactical fighter squadron based in Europe,and also improve airfield infrastructure to enhance operations for Air Force fighters and Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft-all this to reinforce our enduring commitment to the security of our European partners.
Our budget also reflects how we're doing more in more ways with our NATO allies given increased Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic.It includes building toward a continuous arc of highly capable Maritime Patrol Aircraft operating over the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap and Norway's North Cape.It also includes delivering Europe's first stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to our British allies and,given Russia's use of hybrid warfare,as exemplified by the so-called "little green men" in Ukraine,we're investing in more rotational presence of US Special Operations Forces exercising and training here in Europe.And,as we look to address the threats of the future as well as today,we're making significant investments in new technology-and when coupled with revised operational concepts,these technologies will ensure that we can deter and if necessary win a high-end conventional fight in an Anti-Access Area Denial environment across all domains and warfighting areas:air,land,sea,space,cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum.
These include new unmanned systems;enhanced ground-based air and missile defences;new long-range anti-ship weapons;the Long Range Strike Bomber;and also innovations in technologies like the electromagnetic rail gun;lasers;and new systems for Electronic Warfare;space and cyberspace.Finally,our budget also invests in modernising our nuclear deterrent.With these commitments,we will continue to build our capacity to deter a potential adversary like Russia,Mr.Carter stated in Stuttgart,Germany.

Operation Inherent Resolve:More Combat Power for the Iraq Campaign

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford,US Marine Corps,recently briefed reporters on the anti-ISIL Operation Inherent Resolve at the Pentagon.This comes as the Pentagon seeks more US troops for Iraq,possibly including Apache helicopter units and more Special Operations Forces.*
We continue to do more and more,said Mr.Carter.We are systematically eliminating the ISIL cabinet,including Haji Iman,who was their finance minister and a veteran of their precursor organisation,al-Qaida in Iraq.This is the second minister this month we've taken out,after their minister of war.We've taken out the leader who oversees the funding of ISIL operations.
Iraqi Security Forces have moved from their staging base at Makhmur.The US Marines are now providing artillery at the request of the Iraqis to help support the ISF advance against the enemy and protect their forces,so in both Syria and Iraq,we are seeing important steps to shape what will be crucial battles in the months to come.The US military will continue to work intensively with our coalition partners to build on this progress as our counterparts throughout our governments work to defend our homelands at the same time.
We're not going to go into any further details about how our coalition conducted the operations I mentioned earlier.These leaders have been around for a long time.They are senior;they are experienced,Mr.Carter explained.Note:SOFs were reportedly used to take out Haji Iman.*
We are facilitating ISF in staging around Mosul to begin to isolate Mosul and,as the Iraqis have announced,that has begun,said General Joseph Dunford.These Marines that were there near Makhmour,their artillery battery that was there,were in direct support of that.We put the battery there to support the Americans that were there advising the ISF and also to be in a position to provide support to the ISF.From my perspective,this is no different from aviation fires that we have been delivering.This is surface fires;they're artillery,but certainly no different conceptually than the fire support we've been providing to the Iraqis all along.And with regard to accelerants,the Secretary and I do expect that there will be increased capabilities provided to the Iraqis to set the conditions for their operations in Mosul.And those decisions haven't been made yet,but we certainly do expect more of the things that we saw in Ramadi-albeit a bit different,tailored for operations in Mosul;but again,the primary force fighting in Mosul will be the ISF,and we'll be in a position to provide advise,assist and enabling capabilities to make them successful.
We've had surface fires in Al Asad and other places,and we've used them in the past,so this is not a fundamental shift in our approach to support the ISF.This happened to be the most appropriate tool that the commander assessed needed to be in that location,General Dunford added.*
This is our approach to eliminating ISIL.The ISF are the ones who are carrying out the assault,the envelopment and assault,but we're helping them.That's been our approach and we'll continue to do that.It started in Ramadi;we'll continue going up to Mosul,Mr.Carter emphasised.*
We have a series of recommendations that we will be discussing with the President in the coming weeks to further enable our support with the ISF,so again the Secretary and I both believe there will be an increase to the US forces in Iraq in the coming weeks,but that decision hasn't been made,General Dunford said.What is it that we need to do to maintain the momentum of the campaign,and what is it that specifically we need to do to enable the operations in Mosul? the Joint Chiefs Chairman asked.
I think it's indisputable,whether we're talking about the amount of ground they control,their command and control-I think we've affected that in a key way;but there's a lot that remains to be done.While ISIL hasn't been seizing ground in recent months,they continue to conduct terrorist attacks and guerilla attacks.I think the momentum is in our favour.I think there's a lot of reasons for us to be optimistic about the next several months,but by no means would I say we're about to break the back of ISIL or that the fight is over,General Dunford cautioned.

Pentagon Adjusting Strategy For Europe and Asia

On 7 November,US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter addressed the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley,California.
We are in the midst of a strategic transition,Dr.Carter said.In the face of Russia's provocations and China's rise,we must embrace innovative approaches to protect the United States and the international order.We must ensure that we and our partners are postured to defeat threats from high-end opponents in a complex set of environments.*
Our antagonists and competitors push many states toward us.Our troops are attractive partners.Our troops perform and conduct themselves admirably.I see this.I hear this from many foreign leaders around the world.They make us proud.*
Russia appears intent to play a spoiler role by flouting those principles and the international community;while China is a rising power and growing more ambitious in its objectives and capabilities.Of course neither Russia nor China can overturn that order,given its resilience and staying power,but both present challenges for it.In Europe,Russia has been violating sovereignty in Ukraine and Georgia,and actively trying to intimidate the Baltic States.Meanwhile,in Syria,Russia has been throwing gasoline on an already dangerous fire,thus prolonging a civil war that fuels the very extremism that Russia claims to oppose.
At sea,in the air,in space and in cyber space,Russia's actions have emerged as challenging activities-and most disturbingly,Moscow's leaders' nuclear sabre-rattling raises questions about Russia's commitment to regional stability;their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons;and whether they respect the profound caution nuclear age leaders showed with regard to the brandishing of nuclear weapons.We do not seek a cold,let alone a hot war,with Russia.We do not seek to make Russia an enemy;but make no mistake,the United States will defend our interests and our allies,the principled international order and the positive future it affords us all.
We're taking a strong and balanced approach to deter Russia's aggression and to help reduce the vulnerability of our allies and partners.We're adjusting our operational posture and contingency plans as we,on our own and with our allies,work to deter Russian aggression and to help reduce the vulnerability of allies and partners.The United States is accordingly making a number of moves in response,many,but not all of which,I can describe in this forum.We're modernising our nuclear arsenal so America's nuclear deterrent continues to be safe,effective and secure,to deter nuclear attacks and assure our allies.We're investing in the technologies that are most relevant to Russia's provocations,such as new unmanned systems;a new long-range bomber;and innovations in technology like the electromagnetic rail gun;lasers;new systems for electronic warfare,space and cyber space;and including a few surprising ones that I can't describe here.We're updating and expanding our operational plans for deterrence and defence,given Russia's changed behaviour.
In Europe,NATO remains the cornerstone of a principled order and its Article V a bedrock commitment;but NATO needs a new playbook.The old NATO playbook,including large American forces stationed in Europe,oriented toward the Fulda Gap,worked in Reagan's day,but it's not suited for the 21st century with its hybrid warfare;cyber threats and assymetric tactics;and also the vast enlargement of NATO territory that is subject to Article V.We're accordingly changing our posture in Europe to be more agile and sustainable;but we're continuing to take a balanced approach to Russia.We will continue to cooperate with Russia when and where our interests align.*
The single most influential factor in shaping the Asia-Pacific region's future is how China rises and relates to the principled order that has underpinned regional peace,stabiliy and security.We're putting our best and newest assets from all the services into the region.Qualitatively,we are making heavy investments in capabilities of importance there:subsurface warfare;electronic warfare;space;cyber;missile defence and more.We're building the capacity of our allies and partners.
We all have a fundamental stake in the security of maritime Asia,including dynamics within the South China Sea.The United States joins virtually everyone else in the region in being deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation in the South China Sea;the prospect of further militarisation;and the potential for these activities to increase the risk of miscalculation or conflict among claimant states.
We mean what we say.We will continue to fly,sail and operate wherever international law allows.We also know we have much work to do still to ensure our strategies and plans are as innovative as possible,Dr.Carter noted.

The War On ISIL:Building Ground Forces in Iraq

The ground campaign in Iraq is a work in progress,US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the House Armed Services Committee on 17 June 2015.We can and will continue to develop local services;US troops on the ground will not produce enduring results.
What we saw in Ramadi was deeply disappointing.While we have the right strategic framework,execution can and will be strengthened.Our equipping of the Iraqi Security Forces has been proceeding too slowly.That's why we're now expediting delivery of anti-tank and anti-IED weapons to the ISF.
Taqaddum Air Base is a key location for reaching Sunni tribes.We will also provide advice and support at the ISF's Anbar Operations Center,which is also in Taqaddum.We've only received enough recruits to train about 7,000 troops,plus 2,000 counter-terrorism troops.The ISF have been plagued by persistent organisation and leadership failures.Our efforts must fuel diversity and multi-sectarianism.
The move into Taqaddum,the numbers,are not as important as the location in the Sunni heartland.We are in the Anbar Operations Center with the ISF so we can advise and assist them.We're already getting an inflow of Sunni fighters.We had unused training capacity because the Iraqi government wasn't providing paid recruits.It's starting to turn around.*
The heads of the Gulf Cooperation Council went to Camp David about three weeks ago.Their concern about ISIL is genuine,but their actions have been lacking.It is because they simply lack the capacity such as Special Operations Forces;capable,skilled ground forces in counter-insurgency;and so forth.*
We have in Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi someone who I believe is committed to a multi-sectarian,federated state.We are arming the Kurds and Sunnis,coordinating it with the Iraqi government in a way that doesn't delay as it did before.We're back on our feet,but I'm not going to excuse things that shouldn't have happened.I believe there can be a decentralised,multi-sectarian Iraq.I think we should give them a chance,because that's our best hope.*
The Kurdish forces are what we aspire to do.They show the will and capability to fight.Committed,capable,they're effective in the larger campaign to defeat ISIL.I met with President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani,and we went over the list of equipment they need.The reason of doing the angle through the government of Iraq is,to foster unity.These guys really do fight.The equipment from the US,Europe and others is starting to get to them.
The ISF record of performance is mixed.The counter-terrorist forces have fought admirably,and almost to exhaustion for the past months.We're extremely committed to providing intelligence and advisors.
As to US troops increasing their involvement,once we have the Iraqi forces on the ground,we will have to take another look at how to support those forces,and also our allies.When there is a capable ground force,then we can leverage them,Mr.Carter informed the House Armed Services Committee.

Pentagon Announces Training of Moderate Syrian Forces To Fight ISIL

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter spoke to reporters at the Pentagon last Tuesday,5 May,along with outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey,US Army.Mr.Carter highlighted a number of important issues on the Pentagon's agenda,but especially the new program to train a force of ultimately 15,000 moderate Syrian rebels to engage ISIL in ground combat.
1.Earlier today we met with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani about the fight with ISIL.We reaffirmed our commitment to working together by,with and through the Iraqi government to deliver a lasting defeat to ISIL.We believe a unified Iraq is critical to this.
2.We have begun training a company-size group from moderate Syrian forces,to be followed by a second group in the next few weeks.
3.Given that the current defence budget is a road to nowhere,we need Congress to agree to a multi-year budget.We are eroding our tech edge and our military readiness is declining.Our adversaries are paying attention,too;they are watching us lurch from continuing resolution to continuing resolution,and they are adapting.
4.We commend the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations and the Trade Promotion Authority bill as strengthening the US and the Asia-Pacific region.
5.We have a lot of work to do in the months ahead.I want to thank General Dempsey for his stong leadership and thoughtful advice.He has made our world safer.I'll really miss him and Vice Chairman Admiral James Winnefeld,US Navy.I have absolute and complete confidence in their sucessors,General Joseph Dunford,US Marine Corps,as Chaiman,and General Paul Selva,US Air Force,as Vice Chairman.*
On the topic of the struggle with ISIL for control of Iraq's Beiji oil refinery,General Dempsey said it's a part of Iraq's critical infrastructure.It's geographically significant.The Iraqis have lost some of the perimeter and some of the road network that leads to it,but just recently the Iraqis configured 18 of the 18 pallets needed to resupply their troops in the refinery by air.*
As to the training of the moderate Syrian rebel forces,Mr.Carter explained that there are about 90 of the trainees in a company-sized tranche.It takes place in a secure location.Our people are very experienced in this type of training.There are several locations,and we'd rather not talk about them.The first disposition of those forces will be decided on by them and us in a few months.Of course we would have some responsibility to protect those forces.We definitely would work to protect them with intelligence,search and rescue,and potentially with air help.We definitely would have some responsibility for their safety as well as their training.
This is a complex program that will have to evolve over time.We're figuring out what the best training is and disposition of the forces is;but you have to start somewhere,and this is where we're starting.There's a limit to the kind of arms this type of force will get.The training is starting now.These trainees are recruited and vetted,and only then are they put into training.These forces are being trained and equipped to fight ISIL.It's not part of our program to have them engage with Assad's forces.ISIL would be their principal mission.We have not determined yet all the rules of engagement.
These Syrian rebel forces do receive some compensation.An explicit part of their training is how to conduct themselves in accordance with international law.ISIL has taken over and mistreated the places from which they came.They have a commitment to the country of Syria as a whole and the place from which they came.
I think we have to take the domestic ISIL threat seriously.It's concerning;it's yet another reason why the defeat of ISIL is so important in Syria and Iraq-that they have the capability to inspire such individuals,Defense Secretary Ashton Carter pointed out to reporters at the Pentagon briefing.

From Europe to India:Defense Secretary Nominee Speaks Out

Dr.Ashton B. Carter,60,won unanimous approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee to be the new Secretary of Defense with a 25-0 bipartisan vote.The nomination now goes to the full Senate for final approval-really a formality at this point.The graduate of Oxford University served as Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2011-2013.Before that,he held two other high level Pentagon posts,including Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and chief weapons buyer.*
At his confirmation hearing last week,Dr.Carter laid out his views on a number of issues such as European security,India-US ties and Iran's nuclear program.I think that our strength in Europe is our alliance with NATO,he said.Another strength is of course our military strength.I understand we are adding forces in rotation as a deterrence to Russian adventurism.*
India,in my view,is destined to be a strategic partner of the US.I'm for hastening that.In the military and technical cooperation area,I think there's a great deal we can do with India.*
If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons,that would be very grave because:
1.They might use them.
2.Their having them might influence others to acquire them.
They have the ambition to wipe Israel off the map.They have a long history of acting in a disruptive way.*
As to Russia,the little green men are part of the big Putin lie.The common sense is,he's violated Ukrainian sovereignty.It is,I am told, quite clear that Russia is in clear violation of the INF treaty by developing a new ground-launched nuclear missile.I think there are defensive and deterrent and counterforce steps we can take if they want to play that game.They need to be reminded it's a two-way street,Dr.Carter told the Senate Armed Forces Committee.*
Chuck Hagel is staying on as Defense Secretary until Dr.Carter's confirmation is completed.
Update:Dr.Carter was confirmed by the full Senate with a 95-3 vote on 12 February.