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| Iraq |
| Corps Sized Operation Lightning Hammer II launched in IraqÂ’s North |
| 2007-09-07 |
| Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC |
| #9 This will probably push Iran into wanting to develop the same capabilities, but if they do that, wouldn't the mullocracy be in danger of the army coming back at them? Seems that the liklihood of a military coup goes up because a brigade of well-trained fanatics couldn't defend against a whole unified army. And it would be hard to put together an entire army of fanatics for the protection of the government like the IRG. Looks like the whitehouse is counting on getting their extension until March, because this kind of thing is going to be huge positive PR with the coming gains and a solid Iraqi army suddenly emerging at the same time. It's going to be hard to stop it now, and harder to stop it in the future. |
| Posted by: gorb 2007-09-07 15:58 |
| #8 The Iraqi army is organized into one or two paper Corps, whereas before 2003 they were organized into five paper Corps. However, importantly, we have been drilling and evaluating them on divisional operations for a couple of years now. Except for Israel and maybe Turkey, possibly Egypt, I believe that nobody else in the ME but Iraq has any real divisional command operations. The most they can muster are separate brigades in paper divisions. Now, although Iraq doesn't currently have a full Corps capability, the US does, and can show the now trained divisional command staffs how Corps operations are performed, with US army/IA blended operations. This means that they will see it work, and know that Iraqis can do it just as readily as US forces, and are doing it--and can do it again, if the divisional staffers can remember how the US does it. So at US Corps HQ, every US soldier will have an Iraqi or a few division staff personnel standing next to him, taking copious notes on everything he is doing. For them, it is like a CPX paper drill. That type of training is priceless. It would be a bargain at $50 billion. Because once Iraq obtains the weapons and upgrades its military, it will be able to run circles around Iran or anybody reliant on separate brigades. That is why I say that we should be on the lookout for any big changes in Iraq's armor, artillery or infantry units. We are not planning on leaving them until we are confident that they can kick seven bells out of Iran. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-09-07 14:48 |
| #7 The Kurds would probably be able to command such an op - they have very capable and well trained (in western ops and theory) staff officers, as well as the requisite commanders and command structures. From what I hear, they don't have the logistics, but we can do that, and they still need help with intel processing and dissemination, as well as transport (mainly airmobile ops, which nobody else does as well as we do on a large scale). |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2007-09-07 14:22 |
| #6 With the Anbar Awakening to the west, Kurdistan to the north and east and the Surge coming up from the south, the AQ rats are in a trap. Watch the Tikrit, Kirkuk and Mosul areas over the next few weeks. That's where all the action will be with AQ. I love that hammer and anvil move. |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2007-09-07 12:01 |
| #5 Iraq cannot logisticly support a Corps sized op. This does move a large number of troops north and nearer the areas where Iran is giving the Kurds problems. This is, first and foremost, designed to give some second tier Iraqi units a little more live fire training with all the bells and whistles. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2007-09-07 11:11 |
| #4 Quite correct. With the redeployment of IA forces from Fallujah, I suspect that any available IA forces are going to be training hard to defend their country against the Iranian military. Since AAA and air forces would still be under US direction, this means any significant development with IA armor, artillery or infantry could be very important right now. It could signal if the IA is looking for fighting a defensive or offensive campaign. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-09-07 11:05 |
| #3 Could be a friendly wave to the neighbors, too. |
| Posted by: mojo 2007-09-07 11:01 |
| #2 A knockout punch? Also, I wonder if the Iraqi divisional commanders were assembled for a one-shot CPX to train them in Corps operations? If so, they will be unique in the region. I'm not sure if even Israel can mount a Corps level operation. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-09-07 09:11 |
| #1 Operation Lightning Hammer II is a corps-sized operation, consisting of over 14,000 Iraqi Security Forces and 12,000 US troops. Yep. Time to pull out. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2007-09-07 07:00 |