Bring On the Special Forces
The top American military commander for the Middle East has created a covert commando force to hunt Saddam Hussein,Osama bin Laden and key terrorists throughout the region, according to Pentagon and military officials.
The new Special Operations organization is designed to act with greater speed on intelligence tips about "high-value targets" and not be contained within the borders where American conventional forces are operating in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites).
Gen. John P. Abizaid, who commands all American forces in the strategic crescent from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, decided over the summer to disband two Special Operations missions, Task Force 5 in Afghanistan and Task Force 20 in Iraq, officials said.
Military officers say a broader, regional mission was given to the new force, which has become one of the Pentagon's most highly classified and closely watched operations.
Much about the force, which is commanded by an Air Force brigadier general, remains classified, and Pentagon officials declined to discuss the rules under which the new force operates throughout the region or whether its would require the permission of a foreign government to operate in its territory.
Military officers say that focusing the intelligence, and the Special Operations firepower, within one organization, called Task Force 121, streamlines the effort to use information on these targets and mount an attack.
The new, more flexible force already has shown results, according to Pentagon officials and military officers, who say it has gotten close to Mr. Hussein. Officials declined to give any details.
Get the rest of the story from the New York Times via Yahoo! News. Hat tip to Matt Drudge...
Matt's Chat
Now THIS is what I'm talking about! I've been saying for awhile now that what we need is a Special Forces operation to get in there and get it done. The alternative, recalling the "combat operations" forces, is still on my list of options as well, but I can see why the Pentagon would prefer to go this route. Best of luck, guys! Give 'em hell...Mark's Remarks
Amen, Matt, go get em...of course, I am sure the liberals will raise cain that this force is top secret and will demand more study and investigation, as terrorists grow stronger and use far worse tactics than an elite unit would ever use...Liberals just don't get it.....Go, you brave soldiers and defenders of freedom and civilization, get those dirty animals!!!!!
