4-star: Spec ops need in Iraq likely to rise

[unhappycamper]

4-star: Spec ops need in Iraq likely to rise
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday May 5, 2008 19:50:17 EDT

WASHINGTON — Even as the overall U.S. force in Iraq shrinks, the number of elite troops known as special operations forces is likely to grow, the U.S. military’s top commando told The Associated Press on Monday.

More of these specially trained, often secretive forces may be required in Iraq in order to fill a niche role in the development of Iraqi security forces as the number of conventional Army troops goes down, Adm. Eric T. Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said in an interview.

The total U.S. force in Iraq of about 158,000 troops — including about 5,000 special operations troops — is scheduled to drop to about 140,000 by the end of July as two more Army combat brigades leave. Without offering a prediction, Olson said the need for elite troops is likely to go up.

“Nothing I’ve been told leads me to believe that there will be a reduction” in special operations forces in Iraq, “and the door is always open for an increase in demand, so we’re just trying to prepare for that the best we can,” Olson said.

In addition to their role in training Iraqi soldiers and police, U.S. special operations forces perform small-scale raids, long-range reconnaissance and other secretive operations in search of al-Qaida and other terrorist suspects. They also work quietly with Iraqi tribal leaders to undermine the insurgency.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_olson_specops_050508/