Pentagon: U.S. may set up more military outposts in Iraq
The Pentagon is considering opening more small military outposts to provide artillery support and other aid to Iraqi forces as they prepare to take back the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.
Fire Base Bell, made up of 100 to 200 U.S. Marines, was recently set up near Makhmur to offer force protection and firepower for Iraqi Security Forces massing in that area.
Rear Admiral Andy Lewis said the mission of the Marines at Fire Base Bell is to “provide fire in support of Iraqi forces, just like we do with airplanes, just it’s -- surface-to-surface fires,” instead of air-to-surface fire.
Fire Base Bell, made up of 100 to 200 U.S. Marines, was recently set up near Makhmur to offer force protection and firepower for Iraqi Security Forces massing in that area.
Rear Admiral Andy Lewis said the mission of the Marines at Fire Base Bell is to “provide fire in support of Iraqi forces, just like we do with airplanes, just it’s -- surface-to-surface fires,” instead of air-to-surface fire.