Posted on 04/08/2011 5:36:37 PM PDT by jazusamo
When the intervention in Libya began, President Obama insisted no American ground forces would be involved. On Thursday, the U.S. Africa Command combatant commander speculated that troops may be needed, even if he considered it a bad idea.
In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Army Gen. Carter Ham discussed the increasingly complex situation in Libya, explaining that the war had reached a point of stalemate. Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s offensive had largely been halted, but rebel forces have no chance of toppling him from power. Asked if U.S. ground forces might be needed to tip the balance, he said, “I suspect there might be some consideration of that.” The general added his personal view that it probably would not be “the ideal circumstance, again for the regional reaction that having American boots on the ground would entail.”
The main problem with the Libyan war has been a lack of conceptual unity. Coalition military performance has been exemplary, as one might expect. Imposing a no-fly zone over Libya and conducting air strikes on Col. Gadhafi’s offensive ground forces come as close to a routine military operation as any such complex and violent effort can be. Mr. Obama could well have claimed “mission accomplished” when the White House blandly announced the advent of Operation Unified Protector, which continued the effort originally known as Operation Odyssey Dawn but under NATO leadership. The administration’s real “mission accomplished” was making sure Mr. Obama abandoned his global leadership role as quickly as possible.
America’s rush to the door is the root of the current problem. Mr. Obama’s original concept for intervention was little more than a bumper-sticker slogan, “protect Libyan civilians.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Mind boggling that the President of the USA and former leader of the Western World would make such a statement.
Just passed a station near here and the premium is $4.35.
Yeah, well it's a pretty small price to pay for a clean planet that all that inhabit it love us for for our money concern and compassion.
General Carter F. Ham
Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe
General Carter F. Ham served as an enlisted Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division before attending John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. He was commissioned in the Infantry as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1976.
General Ham’s early assignments included service at Fort Knox, Kentucky and tours of duty in Italy and Germany. After graduating from the Armor Officers Advanced Course, he was a Recruiting Area Commander in Lima, Ohio. In 1984, he served with a joint service unit in support of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
From 1984 until 1989, General Ham served as Assistant Inspector General, then as Battalion S-3 and Executive Officer with the Opposing Force at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. He attended the Naval College of Command and Staff, graduating with distinction in 1990, and was then assigned to the US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga.
He served a tour as an advisor with a Saudi Arabian National Guard Brigade in Riyadh then returned to Fort Benning, where he was the executive officer for the Infantry School. General Ham commanded the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry in Vilseck, Germany including a six month tour with the United Nations Protection Forces in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Following battalion command, he was the Senior Observer/Controller of the Timberwolf Team at the Combat Maneuver Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany.
He graduated from the Air War College in 1997 then returned to Germany where he served as G3 then Chief of Staff, 1st Infantry Division. From 1999 to 2001 he commanded the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning then was assigned to United States Central Command serving in Tampa, Fla. and in Qatar. General Ham was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General for Training and Readiness, I Corps at Fort Lewis, Wash. in August 2003. In January 2004, he assumed command of Multinational Brigade - North in Mosul, Iraq serving there until February 2005.
Returning from Iraq, General Ham served as the Deputy Director for Regional Operations on The Joint Staff. General Ham assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan. in August 2006 and served as the Commanding General until July 2007. He most recently served as the Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff.
On August 28, 2008, he became the 34th Commander of the United States Army Europe, headquartered at Campbell Barracks, Heidelberg, Germany.
The United States Senate, in November 2010, confirmed General Ham’s nomination to become the next Commander of U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
Obama Sez...No Boots on the ground. Translation...Boots on the ground as soon as I can get the MSM to put in the correct spin.
Are there any among us who did not see this coming?
Anyone? Anyone?
Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
Near as I can make out, General Ham served one year in Afghanistan. Other than that, he has never been near any kind of war. Maybe I’ve missed something.
Hussein’s face should be plastered on every gasoline pump in this country. Last time I filled up at the gas station, responses made about Ovomit were 4-letter profanity. How about taking the Dictator’s next approval ratings while we’re pumping gasoline? The Muslim’s poll numbers would be a single digit
No, sorry, also Iraq, 2004-2005.
I believe you couldn't be more correct, we can't believe a word this turkey says.
Thanks for your info. I have to believe General Ham has gotten the go ahead from Zer0 to speak out on this or he wouldn’t be saying a word about it. Ham is carrying Zer0’s water.
You get it. American boots will be on the ground soon. Obams sez NO...means Yes. Bet on it.
Watch and learn...do not try this at home. The signs are all there.
LOL
K
Sad part about that is that Obama won’t give a damn about the soldiers or the families of those sent to die for these heathens.
The man is a sociopath.
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