1st Armored Division heading to Iraq...

via Army.mil

The Department of the Army announced today the summer 2017 deployment of approximately 400 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division Headquarters, stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas, to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The 1st Armored Division Headquarters will assume the role of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq, replacing the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters. In that role, the division headquarters will be responsible for mission command of coalition troops training, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.

"America's Tank Division is highly trained and ready for this important mission," said Maj. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. "We are proud to work alongside our Iraqi allies and coalition partners to continue the fight against ISIS. I'm also extremely impressed by the commitment and sacrifice of our military families. It is their stalwart support and resilience that gives us the strength to serve."

I'm not sure I understand how the Army is carrying out this mission.  I understand that they need to maintain their rotation but to send Infantry and Light Infantry units to head shed this op and then switch to an Armor unit puzzles me.

Is the military organized to conduct long term stability operations in foreign countries?  If it isn't (and I suspect they aren't) then is it the fault of the strategy or is a reorganization called for?

More importantly, considering the results of our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, is it time to rewrite the Counterinsurgency/Small Wars manual?  From my chair both efforts have been conducted with flair and tenacity but unfortunately have resulted in failure.  Should we scrap our playbook and write a new one?