British Officer Leading US troops!

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2003-03-22 07:37am

Link

UK OFFICER LEADING US TROOPS

Brigadier Dutton is leading both US and UK marines The
British officer who led Royal Marine Commandos in the attack
on the al-Faw peninsula also has thousands of US troops
under his control.

It is the first time a British officer has commanded such a
large number of American troops since World War II.

Royal Marine Brigadier Jim Dutton, commander of 3 Commando
Brigade, has about 2,000 US Marines at his disposal, 600 of
which were reported to have been used in Thursday night's attack.

The move has been seen as a diplomatic gesture from the US, a
reward to Tony Blair for his unstinting support for the White House
policy on Iraq. Brigadier Dutton is a veteran both of previous conflicts
and - perhaps more importantly - delicate military diplomacy with
the Americans.

The historic operation was his first major test since his appointment
last year as the successor to the controversial commander of the
Royal Marines in Afghanistan, Brigadier Roger Lane. Brigadier Dutton
has developed the crucial diplomatic skills that will equip him for the highly sensitive task of leading US Marines. After working in the
high-level post of Director of Nato Policy, Brigadier Dutton was
attending the Royal College of Defence Studies when global
warfare suddenly changed with the 11 September terrorist attacks
on the US. The "war on terror" saw him plucked from the course
at short notice and dispatched to Washington to fill the vital role
of the Chief of Defence Staff's liaison officer with the Pentagon.

After six months working closely with the US Defence Department's
top brass, his credentials within the Pentagon high command could
not be better for an operation as sensitive as commanding
American Marines. Brigadier Dutton's professional military
experience began more than 30 years ago when he joined the
Royal Marines. His early career as a rifle troop commander took
him to Northern Ireland during some of the bloodiest of the troubles.
He has since led 40 Commando in exercises in Jordan, the Kalahari Desert and on stand-by deployment in Brazzaville in West Africa.[/i]

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2003-03-22 08:30am

I'm telling you Shep. it's only a matter of time before your all colonials again, just like us.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-03-22 08:54am

That just goes to show you that this really is a unique situation. It sounds like this guy is a great choice for the job and I say good for him.

And can someone fix that link, it fucking up the format?

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2003-03-22 09:09am

Stormbringer wrote: And can someone fix that link, it fucking up the format?

done.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-03-22 09:49am

Not like this is the first time British have commanded American forces.

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-03-22 10:53am

And will British soldiers take orders from an American commander

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2003-03-22 12:29pm

I hate to break the news, but American and all other NATO soldiers have been under British command for a while in the form of Nato Secy. Lord Robinson, albeit he is a civilian Secretary, but in command nonetheless.

paladin · Post by **paladin** » 2003-03-22 01:56pm

Montcalm wrote:And will British soldiers take orders from an American commander

They did in WWII under Ike!

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-03-22 01:56pm

Montcalm wrote:And will British soldiers take orders from an American commander

They are right now, as Franks is in overall command.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-03-22 02:17pm

Command goes to those in the alliance that are most suited for the job, I don't see why national barriers should prohibit this so good work on such well done integration and co-operation between forces.