The guy is 62 years old. Give him a break. An American isn't going to be a combat troop during a two or three week stint. Not to mention, there are laws concerning American citizens being part of a foreign military involved in combat operations. And then there's the simple fact about a language barrier. Would you want someone who doesn't speak your language and is 62 years old by your side when you find yourself engaged in a firefight?
No worries. I didn’t take his post badly. It seems he just wanted to confirm the general facts, which he got right.