Article

2014-06-24 Iraq

Imminent Danger Pay and immunity for Iraq bound SF personnel.

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Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-24 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 More likely the immunity was granted under 'executive memorandum'; not requiring the Iraqi legislature to be involved (as in the case of a SOFA.)

Posted by Pappy 2014-06-24 13:15|| 2014-06-24 13:15|| Front Page Top

#2 Yes, John Bolton indicated this morning that it might have been accomplished via some sort of executive memorandum.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-24 13:27|| 2014-06-24 13:27|| Front Page Top

#3 It is not a declared war. All military fall under the command and control of the Ambassador. We had a lot of issues with this in the Philippines. The JFTF commanders that do not understand US and international law believe they are in a military Area of Operations, when in fact they are not. Further, without a declared war or a SOFA these troops are not protected by any laws other than host nation laws. They are not covered by the Geneva accord, or US law. SO if they are to be protected under any laws we need one of three things, a SOFA, Declared hostilities, of make them embassy members with full diplomatic status.

Posted by 49 Pan 2014-06-24 13:55|| 2014-06-24 13:55|| Front Page Top

#4 The JFTF commanders that do not understand US and international law believe they are in a military Area of Operations, when in fact they are not.

Awkward indeed when the DEFAT is a rank or two below the Joint Task Force element Commander. Even more awkward when the JFT Cdr [or designated rep] is not invited to the daily Embassy staff meetings. Been going on for a very long time. Needs to come to a fok'n stop.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-24 14:04|| 2014-06-24 14:04|| Front Page Top

#5 You are so right. We invited the JTF commander to the country team meetings. 1500 miles away he could not attend. He sent a permanent rep to the multitude of daily meetings and the commander attended once a month. We were fortunate in that the DEFAT, we called them the DAT, was in a supporting roll to the JUSMAG in this event. The JUSMAG chief reported to the ambassador and to the same CINC the JTF commander reported to, making it easier. The JUSMAG kept a rep in the JTF to represent the embassy. When the JTF commander understood the relationships, limits, and politics of it all, things went well. When they treated it as a JOA they ended up getting a personal flight home.

Posted by 49 Pan 2014-06-24 16:12|| 2014-06-24 16:12|| Front Page Top

#6 Prior to the second Gulf War, the ARCENT Commander, General Tommy Franks wisely made a habit of rotating baby generals and promotable colonels through the skeleton JTF at Camp Doha, KU in 30 day increments as "JTF Commanders." One of the first bullets on Frank's 'lets talk this shit over list' was the command relationships piece. The new generals not only gained a month of theater 'boots on the ground' and updated SA, they gained the vital political perspectives. General David Petraeus thought the experience was so valuable, he volunteered for and received a second tour.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-24 16:29|| 2014-06-24 16:29|| Front Page Top

#7 The first commander was one of the SF group commanders, he got it and was excellent. We did not have an ambassador at the time and the Charge' struggled with all of the DOD arriving and advisers helping out. Once we got a career type ambassador the CINC put a general down with us, the SOCPAC commander. While he did not have the political savvy initially, he was a quick study and performed well. It was when they rolled some newly promoted 06 in there and he began intel reporting on the embassy and staff. He also began to coordinate around the embassy with secretary level officials in the host nation that conflicted directly with US policy and directives. If we would have done something like GEN Franks did I believe the whole JTF event would have been a different event, both in host nation relations and lethality to the enemy.

Posted by 49 Pan 2014-06-24 17:48|| 2014-06-24 17:48|| Front Page Top

#8 It was when they rolled some newly promoted 06 in there and he began intel reporting on the embassy and staff. He also began to coordinate around the embassy with secretary level officials in the host nation that conflicted directly with US policy and directives.

Hopefully, he was quickly reassigned to Fort Polk or the Pentagon.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-24 17:55|| 2014-06-24 17:55|| Front Page Top

#9 Besoeker what are your thoughts on General Franks?

Posted by Shipman 2014-06-24 18:40|| 2014-06-24 18:40|| Front Page Top

#10 LOL, I mean if it doesn't identify you of course.

Posted by Shipman 2014-06-24 18:41|| 2014-06-24 18:41|| Front Page Top

#11 Besoeker what are your thoughts on General Franks? Posted by Shipman

He was a Vietnam veteran and enlisted intelligence analyst who came up through the ranks. He knew the AOR very, very well as did his G2, COL Bill Moore, who Franks kept in his back pocket. He was very highly respected by the CENTCOM Commander, his staff at ARCENT, and senior personnel within the Kuwaiti army. His assault on Iraq and Baghdad during the second Gulf war was a total success. General Franks is a great American.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-06-24 19:16|| 2014-06-24 19:16|| Front Page Top

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