Special Forces to Remain in Iraq Through Drawdown

All of the Special Operations Forces action may concern Afghanistan (and, uh, Pakistan) right now, but Adm. Eric Olson, leader of U.S. Special Operations Command, said today that approximately 4,500 SOF troops are going to stay in Iraq while conventional forces complete their drawdown by Aug. 31.

“The special operations forces are not experiencing a drawdown in Iraq,” said Navy Adm. Eric Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. “Supporting them is a continuing mission of the rest of the force.”

It’s rather easy to imagine that brigade-sized SOF element remaining in Iraq until the 2011 withdrawal date. Candidate Barack Obama always emphasized counterterrorism as a mission in Iraq for a residual force.