FORT CAMPBELL, KY – Defense Secretary Ash Carter is laying out broad plans to defeat Islamic State militants and retake the group’s key power centers in Iraq and Syria. And he announced that a special commando force has now arrived in Iraq.
Speaking to troops from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) who will soon deploy to Iraq, Carter also said he would meet in Paris next week with his defense counterparts, mainly from Europe, and will challenge them to do more to fight the Islamic State.
Carter’s broader message signaled the completion of a military plan to help Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces retake Mosul in northern Iraq and to assist the Syrian moderate forces oust Islamic State militants from their headquarters in Raqqa.
Around 500 Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters and 1,300 Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to deploy for nine months. They are expected to begin deploying in the next few weeks to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces in Operation Inherent Resolve.
After speaking at Division Headquarters Carter shook hands with around 200 Screaming Eagle Soldiers as well as a group of local officials and community leaders, giving each of them a Secretary of Defense coin.
*Associated Press contributed to this report.