Will U.S. advisers move to Iraqi front lines?

[NeoConsSuck]

Source: CNN

(CNN)The upcoming Iraqi assault to retake Mosul from ISIS control could include US military advisers near the front lines. US military leadership has held open the possibility it would recommend moving advisers closer to combat lines and as the key Mosul battle looms that remains a potential consideration "if and when they believe it's necessary" a senior US military official tells CNN.

The possible recommendation would need to be approved by President Obama who has said that US troops will not being sent on a combat mission. But putting advisers with front line Iraqi troops puts American troops in close range of what is likely to be an intense battle with the terror group.

General Martin Dempsey, the chairman, and General Lloyd Austin, head of CENTCOM, would make that recommendation to President Obama if they determine Iraqi's need US help and there is no other option for providing it.

He declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation but has direct knowledge of both generals' thinking.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/23/politics/us-troops-in-iraq-mosul/index.html

[another_liberal]

1. Earlier reports have already placed them there, and taking part in the fighting.

Do you instead mean, "Will we admit our "advisers" are in the front lines fighting I.S. troops?"

In that case the answer is a firm "No!" Of course we won't admit it, we withdrew all combat troops from Iraq, and that is the story we will stick with.

[Lurks Often]

2. They are probably already there coordinating the air strikes against ISIS.

There is little doubt in my mind that the various U.S. special ops units are already coordinating the air strikes and do various other things to support the Kurdish and Iraqi troops in contact with ISIS forces.

[daleo]

3. Canadian special forces are doing (they have said so)

So, it would strain credulity to think U.S. Forces aren't doing the same, and in much greater numbers.

[Lurks Often]

4. Probably the British as well and maybe some other countries as well.

I know GROM (Poland's Special Ops) and a number of other special ops units from the smaller European countries served in Afghanistan or Iraq or both.

There are rumors and whispers about the Lithuanian Special Forces that were deployed to Afghanistan, cheerful maniacs would be one description. http://defensetech.org/2008/12/17/hells-angels-lithuanian-style/