"The Failed Rescue Operation Was Huge"

[applegrove]

The Failed Rescue Operation Was Huge

by Paul Szoldra at Business Insider

http://www.businessinsider.com/syria-rescue-mission-2014-8

"SNIP..........................


The failed U.S. mission to rescue a number of hostages being held by the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria earlier this summer was a much larger operation than previously realized, according to new reporting by James Gordon Meek and Lee Ferran at ABC News.

The mission, carried out by U.S. Special Operations soldiers flown to the target location near Raqqah, Syria by the 160th Special Operations Air Regiment (SOAR), involved at least 24 soldiers and was supported by helicopters and an Air Force AC-130 gunship — a modified cargo plane with sophisticated electronics and weaponry — providing close air support.

“This operation was a flawless operation," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a Thursday press conference of the mission, which had only one U.S. soldier being wounded. "But the hostages were not there."

According to ABC News, U.S. forces on the ground kicked over a hornet's nest in Raqqah — an IS stronghold — and engaged in a heavy battle with more than 100 militants, approximately 15 of which were killed in the engagement. The special ops left the scene soon after realizing the hostages they were looking for were not there.


..........................SNIP"

[Historic NY]

1. Guess dropping a bomb in there now is useless...