The death of a US Marine (who was killed by an ISIS rocket in Iraq on Saturday), has led to the revelation of a secret American “firebase”- the first of its kind in Iraq, according to CNN. The firebase had apparently only started operating a few days prior, with the Pentagon reportedly planning to officially acknowledge its existence this week. However, the Pentagon has yet to officially admit to its existence.
The firebase consists of a “couple of hundred” Marines who have set up tents near Makhmour, Northern Iraq. Apparently ISIS was tipped off to their location when the Marines moved into the region and started firing practice howitzer rounds.
Knowing their location, ISIS sent two non-practice rockets their way. One struck the base and killed one Marine, wounding several others. The Marines responded by firing back with their artillery.
The slain Marine was identified by the Pentagon as 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was deployed four times and received several medals during a decade of service.
The Marines are supposed to provide support fire with their artillery, when Iraqi troops move to retake Mosul, though for now they are defending another base where the 5,000 Iraqis are being trained for their mission to Mosul.
On Sunday, the US-Iraq coalition announced that the US “has assigned a detachment of U.S. Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the support of Iraqi Security Force and Coalition ground operations. The detachment from the 26th MEU will add to the Marines and Sailors currently in Iraq.”
Interestingly, Sunday marked the 13th anniversary of the beginning of the unending Iraq War. The US intends to send more troops into Iraq in the wake of the Marine’s death.
Sources: CNN, NBC
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