An ex-Marine sniper and his two war-tested sons are reportedly in Iraq to join Kurdistan forces fighting Islamic State terrorists (ISIS) – a fearless family unit determined to be a "formidable" warrior team.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the New Jersey men – Harry, 49, who served as a sniper team leader in 2005 in Iraq, ex-Marine gunner son Josh, 29, and former infantryman James, 23 – were in the process of linking up with Peshmerga soldiers under the direction of the Kurdish Regional Government,
Fox News reports.
Fox News did not publicly identify the men's last names.
"'We want to join with Peshmerga and we want to confront ISIS on our terms,'" Harry said his sons told him. "I've got over 20 years experience and I thought to myself, 'I got two boys going, there is no way they are going without me.'"
"[T]ry not to get wrapped around the edges of why we are doing this," Harry added. "Try to understand that there are men in this country who are willing to go one step beyond and confront whatever threat is there, whether here at home or overseas."
Oldest son Josh said America's boots-on-the-ground war in the Middle East drew down, but not his need to "help out."
"The war technically ended for conventional warfare which put me and my brother basically out of a job," he told Fox News. " I'm still able to fight and the opportunity arose… James lit the fire...."
Added James: "If the military, conventional forces were going, we’d go with them. We’d sign back up, no problem. But they’re not. And that’s what it comes down to. They’re not and we’re capable and we’re going."
Fox News reports the U.S. government doesn't endorse American citizens joining groups to fight ISIS, but doesn't forbid it either.
“Every day we’re not there, people are dying," Josh told Fox News. "I know I can make a difference, I know he can make a difference and I know he can," he said, pointing to his dad and brother.
"And us together? We’re a formidable team."
Harry said he's accepted he could face death in the Middle East, and has taken steps to care for his family in that event.
"Obviously, losing my brother or my father would be terrible, devastating," James tells Fox News. "But this is the life we live. We are warriors."
Their men's trip is being partially funded by donations to non-profit
Humanitarian Defense Abroad, Fox News reports.
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