Free Republic

MARDIN, Turkey — 1st Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. John Batiste is preparing to plant his headquarters flag about 100 miles from the Iraqi border, as the U.S. military continues preparations for a northern invasion force through Turkey. Batiste, head of the Army’s logistics effort in Turkey, has been leading a 3,500-strong site preparation task force from Incirlik Air Base, just off Turkey’s coast. The move deep into Turkey’s interior is one of the most significant signs that Pentagon war planners have not given up hope on approval of about 62,000 U.S. combat troops to come through Turkey. Establishment of...