Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
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19 March 2003: A U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, a month-long invasion of Saddam Hussein's Iraq that included 26 days of major combat operations culminating with Baghdad's capture.
About 85,000 U.S. forces, 45,000 from the United Kingdom, 2,000 Australians, and nearly 200 Polish special operators participated in the initial operation ending on 1 May when Pres. George W. Bush made his famous "mission accomplished" speech aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq
ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) A 509th BW B-2 Spirit bombs Baghdad during the opening hours of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (2) A Special Forces HALO team goes in behind the lines before the ground operation begins. (3) A 3d. Inf. Div. (M) TF advances toward Baghdad in late March. (4) The crew of a 1st Inf. Div. (M) M3 Bradley sits under the night sky early during the campaign. (5) The 173d Abn. BCT jumps into northern Iraq from C-17 transports on 26 March. (6) A Marine platoon leader points out enemy targets to his platoon sergeant next to a USMC LAV-25 while AH-1S and AH-64 attack north of Nasiriyah on 24 March. (7) Zulu Co., 1st Fusiliers Battle Grp. in the attack on Bridge 4 at Basra on 22 March. (8) 101st Abn. Div. GIs assault Najaf on 29 March. (9) C Co., 1-7th Marines enter one of Saddam's palaces in Baghdad in early April. (10) TF 1-64th AR, 3d Inf. Div. (M) M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradleys lead the way into Baghdad on 7 April.
About 85,000 U.S. forces, 45,000 from the United Kingdom, 2,000 Australians, and nearly 200 Polish special operators participated in the initial operation ending on 1 May when Pres. George W. Bush made his famous "mission accomplished" speech aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq
ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) A 509th BW B-2 Spirit bombs Baghdad during the opening hours of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (2) A Special Forces HALO team goes in behind the lines before the ground operation begins. (3) A 3d. Inf. Div. (M) TF advances toward Baghdad in late March. (4) The crew of a 1st Inf. Div. (M) M3 Bradley sits under the night sky early during the campaign. (5) The 173d Abn. BCT jumps into northern Iraq from C-17 transports on 26 March. (6) A Marine platoon leader points out enemy targets to his platoon sergeant next to a USMC LAV-25 while AH-1S and AH-64 attack north of Nasiriyah on 24 March. (7) Zulu Co., 1st Fusiliers Battle Grp. in the attack on Bridge 4 at Basra on 22 March. (8) 101st Abn. Div. GIs assault Najaf on 29 March. (9) C Co., 1-7th Marines enter one of Saddam's palaces in Baghdad in early April. (10) TF 1-64th AR, 3d Inf. Div. (M) M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradleys lead the way into Baghdad on 7 April.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Edited 1 mo ago
Posted 1 mo ago
Responses: 4
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Yet another operation where the media and politics got in the way of the mission.
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Good post, it seems so long ago, and just like yesterday. Although, the cessation of hostilities and mission accomplished statement was made way too early. We still had a lot of fighting and a ways to go before that should have been said.
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I temember that day, I was whaching the TV. Thank you Major.
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LTC Joe Anderson
I was at Fort Bragg waiting to deploy. We had already deployed most of our PSYOP units and half of our company was already there. I was on/the Rear D Commander waiting. But, since too many PSYOP units deployed, myself, and the rest of My Rear Detachment were assigned to train the new Striker Brigade IO and PSYOP Teams. So, when the new Striker Brigades deployed in 04 they would be ready and they could go with the new Strikers as part of its Organic IO Cell. So, my Team/we bounced around from Fort Polk Louisiana, to Fort Irwin california, up to Fort Lewis Washington, and back. But we got them all certified and out the door.
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