returns to the united states. meanwhile, secretary carter is clarifying the role of the u.s. military in iraq. now, u.s. forces are not there in a combat role, instead, to advise and assist iraqi forces. now, carter said, though, they should and can engage if the situation warrants. now in this case, wheeler, who is a member of the elite deallt force was at an isis compound in northern iraq. many of these hostages are iraqi special force, they were facing imminent mass execution. now as the kurdish force were overwhelmed, u.s. special forces command on the ground made the decision for the u.s. forces to engage. it was during that gunfight that wheeler was shot and killed. now, secretary carter said that events like this are rare in iraq, but it's something that u.s. military forces need to be prepared for. >> when we find opportunities to