WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- When President Barack Obama laid out his plans to fight the Islamic State almost a week ago, he said American forces "will not have a combat mission"
However, on Tuesday, the president's top military advisor --- General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs -- told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he would recommended sending military advisers into combat if needed.
In his opening statement the general said, "Our military advisers will help the Iraqis conduct campaign planning, arrange for enabler and logistics support, and coordinate coalition contributions. To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisers should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific ISIL targets, I will recommend that to the President." That statement is seen as a direct contradiction to what the president said last week.
However, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel -- who was with Gen. Dempsey at the hearing -- repeated Obama's promise of "no boots on the ground."
"As the President said last week, American forces will not have a combat mission," Secretary Hagel said.
Tuesday's hearing comes as the House of Representatives gets ready to vote to give President Obama authorization to arm and train Syrian rebel groups that have been cleared.
