UK to lead U.S. Marines in Iraq
 

What is UK troops' role in Iraq?


US Marines from 15 MEU may be put under British command
Amid reports that some US troops will be put under British command in any Iraq action, BBC News Online looks at the chain of command between US and UK forces.
In the event of a full-scale attack on Iraq, up to 2,000 troops from the US 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit will reportedly be assigned to a British command to take the southern city of Basra and surrounding oil fields.

The move has been hailed by excited newspapers as the first time this has happened on such a scale since Monty commanded American troops in World War II.

It has also been claimed the move is a "reward" for Prime Minister Tony Blair's support for military action.

But military analyst Patrick Tyrrell told BBC News Online the move was "nothing to get excited about" and part of "normal military planning".

"It's not as unusual as you might expect to put some US troops under the operational command of a British, German, or any other commander. In Nato, for example, it has been happening for years," he said.

The US Marines are always the first in. I rememer during the Gulf War it seemed like all the Army did was pick up the mess the Marines left behind.

Have you been living in a hole somwhere?

The Americans know the UK SAS/SBS own0rz j00.

Blaird does deserve a reach-around though :)

Wrong. After Iraq invaded Kuwaite 2500 members of the 82nd Airborne Division were the first troops to be sent in to protect Saudi Arabia from an invasion by Saddam's forces. During desert storm The Marines held Iraq forces by "the nose" while the Army forces (including the 82nd Ariborne) made the "hail mary" flanking movement and "kicked them in their ass".

That's not the same...

"During desert storm The Marines held Iraq forces by "the nose" while the Army forces (including the 82nd Ariborne) made the "hail mary" flanking movement and "kicked them in their ass".

The fact is the 82nd was the first troops sent in, period.

You are really anal about this stuff, huh?

I have a problem with mis-information. I don't like it.

And where are you quoting this from? And was the 82nd thge first to attack?

I was there. I was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division for 12 years and the first gulf war ended my military career. The attacks were virtually simultaneous. The Marines made a frontal attack while simultaneously the Army forces made the flanking attack. A classic military excercise some times called "hold 'em by the nose and kick 'em in the ass".

man you crazy to think that a
freaking ground pounder 82nd airborne division lead anything
in iraq,, WTF how fast you think they run to attack?

everyone knows that heavy mechanized troops lead the attack to Iraq,, My old division 1st infrantry division spearheaded the whole attack,

thats all my unit talked bout when i was stationed there

Ahhhhh...no wonder you're makin' those claims.

Facts, not claims.

ah, dude....I was quoting an article from the BBC!!!!!!!

That was the title of the article.