“Obama has told Congress he will send about 170 of the troops to the U.S. Embassy to secure the scores of Americans still present there. The $700 million fortress is the size of 80 football fields, built to withstand attacks. Obama is also considering sending in U.S. Special Forces – 100 in all — to help advise Iraqi forces. Those forces, some of which might be sent to Kuwait, could be used for airfield management, security and logistics support, officials said. If the United States decides to attack, more options are also available. An aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf is capable of launching 40 fighter jets to strike ISIS militants. Three other ships are also able to launch cruise missiles.”
http://abcnews.go.com/International/us-troops-head-iraq-insurgents-gain-ground/story?id=24169897