Did you hear about the US Special Operations raid which released ISIS prisoners in northern Iraq but cost the life of a US service member?

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:13:32 -0400

According to the NY Times:
"An American soldier was killed on Thursday morning as American and Kurdish commandos raided an Islamic State outpost near the northern Iraqi town of Hawija, freeing prisoners there and capturing some of the militants themselves, Iraqi and American officials said. The commando became the first American soldier killed in action in Iraq since the withdrawal in 2011."
[Update DoD News Release:]
"The U.S. provided helicopter lift and accompanied Iraqi [Kurdish] Peshmerga forces to the compound. Approximately 70 hostages were rescued including more than 20 members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Five ISIL terrorists were detained by the Iraqis and a number of ISIL terrorists were killed as well. In addition, the U.S. recovered important intelligence about ISIL.
[Update thanks to CSM Michael J. Uhlig whose discussion was merged into this one, the identity of the dead soldier has been confirmed after notification of next of kin:
The first American soldier to die in combat against the Islamic State group in Iraq has been identified as Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, coalition officials said Friday.
He was wounded during the rescue mission acting in support of Iraqi Peshmerga forces after they came under fire by ISIL. He subsequently died after receiving medical care. In addition, four Peshmerga soldiers were wounded."
http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/625236/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-hostage-rescue-mission-in?source=GovDelivery

Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook On Hostage Rescue M

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following statement:  Early today in Iraq, at the request of the Kurdistan Regional Government, U.S. Special Operations Forces supported an Iraqi

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 22 at 2015 12:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:15:41 -0400

I read about this joint Kurdish-US special Operations raid near the northern Iraqi town of Hawija. I am thankful that there are attempts to free ISIS hostages but saddened that an American military man died in the operation. I suppose if nobody had died on our side we would not have heard about it for some time for operational security reasons.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 12:16 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:16:06 -0400

Read it earlier.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 22 at 2015 12:58 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:58:37 -0400

Will the captured ISIS terrorists be sent to Gitmo?

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 23 at 2015 11:19 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:19:58 -0400

Yes, I heard. Kind of shows what a liar the President is regarding boots on the ground. If he wasn't involved in combat, I'll eat your hat. Do it right or get off the pot! Condolences to the family that lost their son or father while joining the KURDs in this action to save Iraqi's. What is wrong with this picture.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 23 at 2015 12:56 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:56:13 -0400

It is sad, 11 deployments...R.I.P brother and prayers to your family during this trying time. All gave some, some gave all...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 2:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:36:51 -0400

RIP, Brother. De Oppresso Liber.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 3:02 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 15:02:13 -0400

I was sorry to hear that we lost another great Soldier, a hero by the looks of his record. But did anyone catch this:
Jim Sciutto-CNN's Chief National Security Correspondent posted on Twitter:
NB: WH says POTUS did not sign off on #Iraq Spec Ops raid that left US solider dead, says it was Def. Sec. Carter's call.

CSM Michael J. Uhlig I'll bet Def. Sec. Carter is asking someone to get the plate number off the bus that he just got thrown under. I was under the impression that a Commander is responsible for anything that happens under his command....