I genuinely want to understand this. Are the defense systems we are sending so advanced that we can’t let anyone else operate them?
I know politics aren’t allowed here, so i want to stress that I just want to know why this is happening.
As I understand it is to operate the defensive missile battery they have just shipped.
This is the true answer.
It’s important not to let cynicism become conspiratorial ideation. This is not a ploy to get troops killed as a rationale for American involvement. This is a defensive anti-missile anti-drone anti-aircraft battery. The soldiers operating it may be the safest people in Israel, at least from Iranian attack.
I’d go further and speculate that Iran would avoid deliberately attacking this high value target to avoid escalation. I’d go further still and speculate that Iran is counting on her missiles being shot down so that she can attack Israel without doing enough damage to spark a wider war.
I don’t count Iran as peaceniks, their behavior so far looks like a Nation keen to save face, while avoiding a war it’s not ready for.
The real rational for sending troops is that there is no time to train up IDF soldiers to operate it.
The defense systems being sent there are not only highly advanced, but are also extremely expensive to the taxpayer, as well as the training to operate them is compartmentalized under high levels of secrecy even against allies such as Israel.
It would be irresponsible for the military to send it over there without the proper personnel with the right clearances and training to operate it.
If you don’t believe me, try joining the military and attempt to become a Patriot Missile Battery operator and let us know how it goes with the many times your background check fails.
You’re not wrong, but the question then becomes “why did the US send an advanced military defence system that needs a hundred highly trained American operatives to work”.
I’m guessing the reason is a combination of politics (lots of American politicians with ties to Israel) and practical reasons (validate that these systems still work against the enemies of the state without actually getting involved in a war directly, perform analysis for future improvements for defence on home soil, get people behind Israeli lines to extract intelligence that might not be shared willingly).
Well no comment on the politics but the system is required to intercept the types of ballistic missiles they expect.
The US has decided it wants those missiles intercepted, so this is what it takes.
Yeah it’s nice Iran kills them the regime can justify a war with them…
The same reason why Ukraine doesn’t get them.
To be clear, there are US service people within Ukraine but they take great care to ensure Russians don’t hit them and Russians really don’t want to hit them either
When one country sends soldiers to a different country but not very many, it could mean a few things.
One it’s a symbolic gesture.
Two with your own troops on the ground, if they become attacked, you now have an excuse to get fully involved. It’s the pathway from advisors to interventions. In some circumstances this can also cause the enemy to become hesitant to attack areas with known foreign presence
Three gathering intelligence from your own people, gives you a higher degree of situational awareness on the ground.
Four weapons research and development, sending a technical advisors, and observers, to an actual combat situation can give you valuable feedback on methodologies, doctrine, and weapons application.
Five: Special operations teams can use them as cover for movement.
Because large troop movements are also useful for hiding the entrance and exit of special operations.
Sending enough Americans to justify a full Iranian engagement when they are killed.
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