The Islamic State attack on Kurdish forces in northern Iraq that killed U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Keating was a surprise that, if anticipated, might have turned out differently, a Pentagon spokesman said Thursday.
Thanks to Keating’s heroic sacrifice and his leadership of a local Christian militia’s defense against the attack, ISIS was stopped before they could successfully break through Iraqi lines.
The three shorts videos — released by an Assyrian Christian militia called the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU) to The Guardian — purportedly shows part of the firefight at ultimately claimed Keating’s life (warning: there’s harsh language used)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l1ERKCrXFc&feature=youtu.be
Keating is the third U.S. service member to be killed in combat in Iraq since U.S. forces returned there in 2014.
Keating was a member of what the military calls a quick-reaction force that was called to the scene of the gun battle in which a small U.S. military advisory team had already become involved. The Islamic State force managed to penetrate the Kurds’ lines but ultimately was pushed out of the area.
The U.S. military’s main spokesman in Baghdad, Col. Steve Warren, said Wednesday that it was unclear how ISIS managed to assemble an attacking force of an estimated 125 fighters, plus vehicles, without being detected prior to the assault.
“You can’t observe every inch of earth every moment in the day,” Warren said. “There’s not enough eyeballs out there to watch it all, anyways.” He said the militants were initially successful by surprising the Kurdish force but ultimately were beaten back.
“So it was a failed attack, but certainly, they were able to martial and deploy a force that surprised the Peshmerga forces,” Warren said. The Peshmerga are a Kurdish militia.
Cook was asked whether Defense Secretary Ash Carter is looking for ways to make the U.S. advisory mission less dangerous.
“We had a fatality of a U.S. service member and that requires hard questions,” Cook said. “And so, we are looking at the situation in terms of force protection.” He added: “And of course we’ll be reassessing force protection going forward.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Why didn’t we have air support, if they could bring in a helicopter, where were the gun Ships and Jet fighters.
Looks like lack of planning in how to quell a surprise truck.
We thank him for his service to this Country and pray for his family who I am sure are devastated.
GOD BLESS THEM.
O’bummer probably wouldn’t let them fly because they were within 500 miles of a mosque.
You are probably right ! Obama is not much of a MAN, if he can’t stand up for America, instead of visiting Cuba, and playing Golf !
I Totally Agree !!!
Air Support??? How can Obama deploy aircraft against his Islamist mates?? Obama has tied both hands behind the backs of ‘his’ security forces as if he did not do this ISIS would have long gone. Obama does the very least so as not to show his true colours. You cannot wipe out these vile terrorist unless you release your forces to do so. Why is Baghdadi still alive?? Because Obama has forced the situation on the non Islam world. When Iran uses its fist Nuke in Israel, Obama will probably shout Allahu Akbar. Obama hates Jews ansd Christians and the majority of the US citizens are Christian and not what Obaba say “The USA is no longer a Christian Country”. The sheeple of the USA accepted it like it was inevitable.
Yes Amil you ask a pertinent question about Air protection. It appears there was lack of intelligence this magnitude of attack was going to happen so quickly. They were caught off guard . This enemy is not dumb and look for sneaky ways to attack. This was effective for them and they managed to pull it off. By the time Quick reaction force arrived it was too late for Seal Keating
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Keating you are a hero and our codolences go out to you and your family the young lady you were planning to marry in 6 months. God Bless you for serving in the military I hope you find peace in heaven and pray for the souls you left behind.
It is my prayer that parties of all national groups now under the control of Satan ..who die ..ill/uninformed ..respecting God’s Incoming Kingdom ..be “remembered” by “the only true God (and His Son), Jesus (John 17:3), in the “resurrection of all those in the ‘memorial’ tombs” (John 5:28), which Jesus also promised the robber hung alongside him “Truly, I tell you Today, YOU will be with me IN PARADISE.” (Luke 23:43)
And that Mr. Keating’s loved ones, friends and associates may be graced with the “undeserved kindness, peace, and comfort from God”. (2Corinthians 1:2,3,4) jw.org
If you think you know which countries are “now under the control of Satan,” try reading a DIRECT translation of what Jesus said, instead of the Armenian=>Greek=>Latin=>Victorian-or-older-sensibility English that’s probably sitting on your bookshelf.
God Bless you Mr. Keating..You are in Heaven now sir. I pray for your family and girlfriend.
Now with the further breakdown of the Iraq gov the fight is moving toward the take over by Iran and B’Ob the “unknown” will gladly let it happen……there is no hope for a democracy or sanity in the area until there is push back from NATO and the west……
Rest n peace Mr Keating.
( CAPS ARE FOR OLD EYES AND CRIPPLED HANDS ) DEAR GOOD GOD OF LOVE, LIFE, AND MERCY. BLESS THIS YOUNG MAN’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I WISH YOU WOULD MAKE IT A PEACEFUL PLANET. SEND A PLAGUE THAT ONLY AFFECTS THE EVIL AND WIPES THEM OFF THE PLANET. ALL EVIL GONE AND CHILDREN COULD PLAY AND WOMEN COULD WALK ANYWHERE THEY WANTED ALL OVER THE PLANET. THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR SOLDIERS OR POLICE OR GUARDS OF ANY KIND.MANKIND COULD ENJOY EARTH AND THE DAYS WITHOUT ALWAYS BEING IN FEAR OF THE DEMONS AND MONSTERS THAT POSSESS EVIL MANKIND. IT IS A STRUGGLE ON EARTH. MANKIND IS STRONG AND WE CAN FIGHT FOR OURSELVES AGAINST EVIL. IT’S JUST WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PEACE. WE ARE TIRED OF LOSING OUR GOOD MEN. WE ARE TIRED OF SEEING THE BLOOD OF GOOD PEOPLE ON THE SOIL WHERE GARDENS SHOULD BE GROWN.. IT WOULD BE NICE TO GREET A STRANGER WITH A HUG INSIDE OF A SWORD. IN THE NAME OF THE GOOD GOD JESUS WHO IS LOVE,MERCY, AND COMPASSION AMEN
GOD LOVES ALL HIS LITTLE CHILDREN !YELLOW RED BLACK AND WHITE,WE ARE ALL IN HIS SIGHT! GOD BLESS YOU MR KEATING YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE FOR US ,IAM SURE YOUR FAMILYS HEARTS ARE BROKEN IAM SO SORRY ,!