OIF: The Drive to Baghdad

Army University Press presents part one of the OIF series, “OIF: The Drive to Baghdad.”
This documentary addresses the opening stages of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in March and April 2003, and includes lessons from current U.S. Army doctrine.
On 19 March 2003, President George W. Bush announced the beginning of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, authorizing the use of armed force to overthrow Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein. U.S. Central Command had been working non-stop since 9/11 on a plan to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s regime. The film begins in Summer 2002 with CENTCOM's plans for the possible invasion of Iraq and the creation of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command as the main ground command for the planned invasion. The film then covers the crossing of the berm, the seizure of Tallil Air Base, the battle for As Samawah, the fight for An Najaf, and the movement through the Karbala Gap. The film ends on 1 April with V Corps and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force preparing to move to the next objective on the way to Baghdad. The Soldiers of V Corps had advanced over 300 kilometers into Iraq in 11 days, fought both regular and irregular Iraqi forces, withstood sandstorms, and lost comrades.
At 50 minutes in length, this film is full of historical footage and photographs, virtual terrain, animated maps, and one-on-one interviews with Veterans of the conflict.
Chapters:
Introduction - 0:00
Preparing for the Invasion - 5:17
Iraqi Armed Forces - 9:53
The Fight for Objective FIREBIRD - 11:11
The Fight for Objective RAMS - 18:49
‘Mother of all Sandstorms” - 26:55
Five Simultaneous Attacks - 28:34
The Fight for An Najaf - 33:03
The Fight for Objective MURRAY - 42:00
Opening the Door - 44:44
Credits - 49:30
Doctrine:
Operational Initiative (ADP 3-0) - 4:47
Shape Activities (FM 3-0) - 5:38
Training and Rehearsals (ADP 6-0) - 7:28
Forward Passage of Lines (ADP 3-90) - 9:23
Combined Arms (ADP 3-0) - 12:22
Supply during LSCO (FM 3-0) - 15:10
Feint (FM 3-0) - 16:30
Forward Arming and Refueling Point (ATP 3-04.17) - 19:03
Sustainment (ADP 4-0) - 21:43
Deep Area (FM 3-0) - 23:33
Risk (ADP 6-0) - 24:38
Center of Gravity (ATP 5-0.1) - 29:07
Consolidating Gains (FM 3-0) - 30:17
Deception at the Corps Level (FM 3-0) - 31:10
Raid (FM 3-0) - 38:30
Reconnaissance in Force (FM 3-0) - 39:18
Security Forces (FM 3-0) - 44:05
Operational Art (FM 3-0) - 45:37
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[@ArmyUniversityPress]

Thank you for watching! To view more of our films, check out our full collection at www.armyupress.army.mil/Films/Feature-Film-Catalog/

[@JackBQuick79]

I can't think of one documentary, movie or any other form of media where the details were sequenced and narrated in such a manner. Outstanding production and without all the sugar coating. Thank you I am appreciative.

[@user-qj6hi9qz8l]

Had it not been for 32 countries toppled Saddam Hussein, he would have swallowed America. But the cowards killed Saddam Hussein.

[@chrisforet]

I was there! scary place to be at the time my friend

[@sakr-el-bahr272]

The Operations Room

[@dmimz7691]

Considering we were all lied to in order to go to war.. yea sure. Feel bad for all the guys who came back dead, or badly injured…

[@tammyowens7316]

I was a 20 y.o. signal soldier with 3ID and by far, this was the most unreal time of my life. Thank you for this video. It's been almost 19 years and it still feels unreal.

[@PellegrinoPool]

I know why I felt unreal! Because it was Unreal. Everything we were told was not real

[@jeffdaily9196]

@@PellegrinoPool have been on the ground in Iraq? I know the answer. You're sloppy and unlearned. You fell for one of the biggest lies of our time and it had nothing to do with wmd's. If you're ready to learn the truth message me. No hate just giving you pictures, documents and real account of what was found.

[@jeffdaily9196]

You're loved Tammy. Job well done.

[@Datrainbowchic82]

Fort Stewart Hooah! I’m an army brat/veteran my father was stationed at Stewart at the time. You all went through ALOT, praise 🙏🏽God you made it back as we lost so many soldiers. I fought in OIF4 apart of 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment 4th ID at FOB Falcon. We replaced 3rd ID in the fall of 2005. God bless you.🙏🏽

[@CCM1199]

@@Datrainbowchic82 I was in B Trp 1-10 CAV during OIF I. when we got the order to push north, our tanks were combat loaded onto HETTS and we had to man the crew served weapons on the tanks while we were HETT'ed toward baghdad. The amount of vehicled both ours and Iraqi's that were destroyed were unreal. I remember manning the .50 Cal in the TC's hatch when rounds were pinging off the turrets as we were pushing through. We were combat dropped 15KM outside of Baghdad and we pushed the rest of the way towards the airport. after a small rest and refit, we pushed to Tikrit what we called FOB Ironhorse (Danger/ Speicher since camp speicher was originally located there before an airfield was renamed to speicher). My unit was at Mandali and our platoon was at a permanent TCP between Kanaquin and mandali. I eventually PCS'ed to 3rd ID (which I was put on a stop movement) and came back to Iraq in 2005 revisiting all the places 1-10 CAV has established during OIF 1 (FOB Summerall/K2 airfield). Ready and Forward my sister!

[@carlossantini8948]

12C Bridge Builder and we patrolled the rivers with our boats. April 2003- April 2004. 671st Engineering Company. 🤟❤️🇺🇸

[@kayp4601]

Essayons

[@klsc8510]

I was a 49 year old Signal Soldier then from Alpha Company, 156 Signal Battalion attached to Iowa's 234 Signal Battalion. We arrived in July 2003. Once at BIAP, we did a 3 day FTX to test our Signal Equipment, MSE. After that, we split up to with each team going to their mission. I was part of a SEN team, K-13. Our mission was comm support to the quarters of Lt. Gen Sanchez. Our deployment orders were for 6 months. We got extended for 3 more months. I wasn't terribly surprised. It turned out that Alpha company was so good, we almost got 3 more months! Us old Soldiers sure showed the young kids how to do Signal! I am still very proud of the Soldiers from Michigan I was fortunate to serve with.

[@manhalen7046]

How did the MSE equipment hold up over there? I was a co. 501st signal/101st at Campbell and was an instructor as an E-4 at the division commo school. Was also a SEN team leader in the battalion at Campbell, NTC and JRTC the MES gear always did pretty damn good, i was always impressed.

[@klsc8510]

@@manhalen7046 K-13 did pretty good. We had some problems at the start on the 1st mission. We were too close to the Node and had a hard time attenuating the signal. The 2nd mission was almost perfect at BIAP. We did have a problem with the power panel. I was the only school trained 31F on the team. A quick trip down the bubble chart and I found what was wrong. The other problem was the 5K for the V1 broke a stator ring. A part was quickly available and we were back on gen power in 2 hours. Thankfully we had rigged a light in the team house to monitor the 5K. Going to Mosul, I am convinced the bumpy road caused a wire to come loose behind the card rack in one of the switch boards. We only had two or three outgoing lines. When tech assist came from the maker, he really fixed things. When he was done, we had no lines out! I was prior Air Force computer repairman. In the AF, we didn't have the 10, 20, ect. maintenance levels. I was ALL levels. If it was broke, I fixed. Simple! I had o'scopes meters, and other test equipment. Vehicle maintenance was worried about how long our generators would last. One motor troop told me he thought maybe if lucky 90 days. Running on JP-8, they just ran and ran and ran! No complaints! They took the heat at Baghdad to snow in Mosul. The best part was our SEN was modified to pass internet traffic before we deployed. YES! So a 12 hours shift every other day was a 12 hour e-mail war with friends back home telling them how rough I had things in Iraq!!! The team agreed that our only internet computer would be in the SEN. That way your duty was your computer time. Nice incentive to go to work! One funny story for you. After Iraq, I was asked to help show off a SEN at the Muskegon, MI, Air Fair in 2004. Being former AF, you don't have to ask me twice to go!!! The SEN was parked behind an M-1 tank. The most common question people had about the shelter was how much armor it has as the tapped the side wall. My answer was, "It is armored against all known BB guns! I was an E-5. I enjoyed being both leader and worker. The Iraq tour was better than we could have dreamed. We brought everyone home safe and all of our equipment back.

[@manhalen7046]

@@klsc8510 Thats awesome man, good to talk to a fellow 31F dog. Yeah as far as eqpt issues we would slingload our stuff on air assault missions fairly regularly and would have a card issue here and there but for how we beat the piss out of it the stuff held up really, really well. GTE made great stuff. We had a GTE guy at Campbell (JJ) who was always on standby because we werent allowed to do level 2 or 3 level maintenance, if it broke it was call JJ at GTE. What year were you at Delta 369 at Gordon?

[@manhalen7046]

@@klsc8510 My team always got tasked to roll out with 1/187inf and 159 aviation brigade at campbell, two really great units.

[@klsc8510]

@@manhalen7046 I did my MOS training at Camp Atterbury, IN. We did everything in two, 2 week segments in 2001. Hard, yes, but I enjoyed the challenge! The first part we had to almost mutiny to get a half day off. I was the only one in the class to ace the first two week final test. The 2nd part was a lot more practical hands on training. We did get a full day off in that segment! The last day we had instructors up from Fort Gordon to check out our training. I was standing under the canopy waiting for my practical test. I had my forearms resting on my two canteens around my waist. My hands were just kind of behind my back. One of the instructors, a Master Sergeant, from Gordon complimented me on knowing how to stand when talking to a superior NCO. I am thinking, "What an idiot!". It confirmed that I was glad I didn't go to Fort Gordon for training. It also confirmed to me that the Army's training Command, like the Air Force's Air Training Command (back when I was in) was made up of people that either never got to the "real service" or couldn't hack it in the "real service". I guess I have a low tolerance for ate up training command types. Back in the Air Force in 1980, I was going to my 2nd computer repair system school. This was a 4.5 month TDY school at Kessler AFB, Biloxi, MS. This was part of going PCS from Grissom AFB, IN to Pruem Air Station West Germany. I had been in over 8 years at this point. I was doing something in uniform on base. I was wearing my blue shop hat from Grissom. This Air Force MSgt (E-7) chewed me out for not wearing a standard green ball cap. I tried to explain that I wasn't permanent party to Keesler. I still belonged to Grissom until I signed in at Pruem. Since I still belonged to Grissom, this cap was still legal. The school I was attending had no problem with the hat. He still "ordered" me to get a green one. After he left, I thought, there are 10,000 airman at the base, My chances of meeting this jerk again are about ZERO. So I continued to wear the hat through graduation. I did get a green hat to wear once I got the Pruem! Training Command Idiots!

[@reddeath5delta]

That sandstorm was a Godsend. It allowed us to get rest, refit, and fix broken shit. It was also the first chance I got to sleep since crossing the berm.

[@reddeath5delta]

@Jacob L yup. At that time, i was attached to 4/64 Armor. We got passed around like a bomber joint at a frat party. Anywhere they needed extra armor support (we were Air Defense in Bradleys), that's where we went.

[@shadymaint1]

I was out side pulling guard duty during that sand storm. Had so much sand in my M249 that I had to push the charging handle back with my foot.

[@reddeath5delta]

@@shadymaint1 it gummed up our coax pretty good.

[@shadymaint1]

@@reddeath5delta I was a mechanic/ wrecker operator in a transportation unit. We watched the taking of Tallil airbase and set up the first Camp Cedar. My ass was everywhere around that shit hole. Ended up at an abandoned train station up by Fallujah.

[@reddeath5delta]

@@shadymaint1 we were originally air defense, but since there was no enemy air, we became whatever was needed at the moment. Perks of driving a Bradley, I guess.

[@trashpanda314]

3rd ID absolutely steam rolled their way to Baghdad. I went through Infantry OSUT not long after the invasion and had a DS that was a 3rd ID veteran. He was in his first cycle on Sand Hill and the lessons he taught us were valuable to me when I got to Iraq. It was great having Drills that were so recently in the wars.

[@bassbuckmaster]

And the stayed there the first tour for 15 months or longer. Ya they earned their combat patch.

[@MC-zt3wb]

bassbuckmaster they were not in Iraq/OIF 1 for 15 months. I was in 1AD and watched them leave in September/October 2003.

[@brettwilson9913]

@@MC-zt3wb As a member of 3/7 Cav..... Yes we left in September of 03 the 1st deployment was January 21st 03 to September 03 it was only an 8 month deployment the 2nd one was a 12 month deployment and the 3rd time we went was a 15 month deployment

[@jefrey5578]

I can see that. Most of my DI's were vietnam vets and a few first gulf war vets. I enlisted in 1993-2017 retired. I still value my boot experience a lot. I hear now they let guys use cell phones and watch tv. We got 1 phone call when first arrived at Parris and that was it. When I went to transfer to the Army I went to WTC. It was super laid back but I was already an E5 when I did that.

[@melissagibson8462]

3rd ID 2nd Brigade 26th fsb Top Flite Convoy Security ! We supported 3/7 Cav and 1/64! Rock of the Marne ! Send me!

[@sgtmayhem7567]

Former 11B2P here. This was my first time at your channel and I subscribed. Thank you for a fantastic documentary, the narrative, interviews and visuals all just clicked. It was especially refreshing to hear historical fact, not opinions or editorials.

[@animula6908]

There’s a shortage of resources for historical fact on contemporary and recent events. Soliloquy and soapboxes we have aplenty.

[@FupawesleyGot8byWarren]

Yall forgot 4ID we arrived in 2003 as well and I know because I was with them💯💯💯

[@dartdude4084]

Easily forgotten

[@jordanvangundy975]

Blame the Turks

[@Jlamantia]

You fed them chow on time everyday! Without the food you made them they would not have had the energy to persevere

[@darrylwiggins3700]

U.A.COMBAT.SOILDER.HURA!A.U.MADE.IT.HOME. GOD.BLESS.

[@tonymontanamalverde]

STEADFAST AND LOYAL!

[@Norosco4u]

26:17 Hey those are the POWs we rescued while heading towards Tikrit. I was with 3rd LAR, one of my Marines was selected to escort them on the helo ride back to Kuwait. Fun times.

[@jerrysullivan7223]

My son went in with the 101fst airborne division crossing into Iraq on the third day he would serve three tours of duty in Iraq .

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

so he obliterated lots of people. how nice..

[@thekoneill8]

As usual, an excellent video. Thanks.

[@yasirhasan8499]

Great documentary, great authorship and lots of in-depth details.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

That was awesome!!! Thanks!!!! We truly love you up here in Canada!!

[@MikeDonner]

Oh boy have I been waiting for this! You guys are awesome! That Stalingrad series was amazing, so looking forward to this!!

[@rezgarali2253]

Donald Trump?HAHAHA get some help sooner is better 👎👎

[@sights3255kamobrin]

Reading the comments is like a Movie in itself‼️

[@vyatka515]

Some one has been through Battle Staff! Overlay is on point!

[@user-lf7kl5vf1q]

شكرا جورج بوش من بغداد

[@theblankettruth]

I stumbled across the documentary recently. In the past, I have seen various documentaries done covering OIF. Most were related to personal stories, movement of individual units, or what amounts to personal diaries which often provided little clarification to strategies or doctrine. I enjoyed the manner in which this documentary describes movements as well as objectives and the specific doctrine for why said movements and objectives were set. In all compared to previous documentaries I have seen covering OIF, this is by far the best I have watched!

[@chrisdude2675]

This is an awesome video. I was with 3rd ID 2nd brigade the whole time and just finished the book Cobra 2 and Take Down. Glad to see this in a video format.

[@iraq9519]

لقد دمرتم بلدي 😢

[@mkrump9403]

37:05 Great to hear that he was aware of it I wish everyone hear that.

[@killervito]

Wow time flies I was there 18 years ago!

[@stickyjocky]

Same. I was wounded quite soon though

[@moses468]

@@stickyjocky God bless you guys and your family..👍🙏

[@user-jd3rp9ps9k]

Great documentary, great authorship and lots of in-depth details.. Great documentary, great authorship and lots of in-depth details..

[@bryans5150]

Truly well done with this production Sir. As ex Army, I do appreciate the content. War is horrible but I miss my ARMY.

[@11bravo1789]

Is there a worse description than “ex Army”. How about as a “former Soldier”. Good lord guy

[@bryans5150]

@@11bravo1789 wtf?

[@bryans5150]

@@11bravo1789 former army. NEVER former soldier. Low blow man

[@11bravo1789]

@@bryans5150 ok guy. “Ex Army”. You can say whatever you want. Just not that. Its not an ex girlfriend. How about “Veteran”. But not “Ex” anything.

[@user-sp9ux6rs7p]

Why you killed Iraqi people

[@m.d.bishop1244]

On the Marine side we didn't sleep and drove for 3 days strait at the slowest speed possible before we finally got a break and all the units started leap frogging each over. Then everything turned red. It unreal.

[@davidday2373]

Over 80 hours, no sleep... I did the math way back when. People were getting hurt and even killed from accicents, effects of sleep-deprivation.

[@davidday2373]

It rained mud one of those nights... or was that just a hallucination?

[@m.d.bishop1244]

@@davidday2373 I heard about a tank that drove off a bridge because they all fell asleep. I was told I drove for miles completely asleep by my A driver. I ask him why didn't you wake me up? He said he was too tired. I don't remember any rain during that trip. but I was at the tip beside the tanks for most of it.

[@Longo556]

My driver dosed off as we crossed the breach. Thank god we didn’t hit a landmine. Boy, but watching that stream of artillery volleys streaming overhead was unreal. I’ll remember that until the day I die.

[@ryanwatts2880]

I had gotten out in 1997. Just before Iraq

[@mikeflo6459]

I was there with 5th core attached to bravo 3/15 infantry of 3rd ID. Checkpoints Larry, Curley and Moe. I was 22 at that time. I remember that red day very well along with all the small arms fire and big booms. Nobody slept for weeks until we got to Balad.

[@twright3802]

Every soldier and Marine that has ever served in a Corps, knows that its spelled CORPS!

[@texasveteran7231]

Thank you for those who were there not a day goes by I don't think about it.

[@j.b.m4640]

Amen

[@texasveteran7231]

@@j.b.m4640 I see brave rifles patch. At one point I was I trp 3/3 acr.

[@j.b.m4640]

@@texasveteran7231 howitzer battery 2/3 . Hope you are well brother

[@texasveteran7231]

@@j.b.m4640 same to you bro it's always good to see fellow brave rifles in the comments.

[@fhl1996]

@@bigo3836 😂 😂😂 But it won’t happen 😂😂😂

[@jasonhands2934]

I love documentaries

[@soldier09r]

I was there with 4/64 and it was BRUTAL.

[@bassboye8959]

Ty SIR, very glad you made it home!

[@soldier09r]

@@bassboye8959 appreciate you brother

[@djpirl412]

My man we made it trough. It was hell , but we were ready. A-co 4/64 AR 1st Plt

[@bensmith8284]

Thank you for your service and glad you made it back, I hope you don't suffer any after effects of combat

[@soldier09r]

@@bensmith8284 thank you my brother! I wish that were the case but I'm doing well thank you!

[@user-dc9ek2qs4s]

عاش العراق وعاش جيش العراق صاحب السفر الخالد وعاشت امتنا المجيده مع محبي الامن والامان وحق الشعوب في العيش ب حريه وعاشت فلسطين حره عربيه

[@ryanboisture8013]

Remember this like yesterday...geez...20 years ago

[@manhalen7046]

This was really well done, I was 1/187 inf 101st AASLT and the great commanders always did a good job of explaining the battlefield, and our role in it, to all the soldiers whether you were the battalion CSM or Pvt Joe Snuffy. That really helped you take pride in what you were actually doing and accomplishing out there. But this was a really great breakdown of how and why a big force moves and operates like it does and all of the aviation, commo and logistics train moving with it.

[@screamingeagle5611]

Rock-a-sauns right?

[@manhalen7046]

@@screamingeagle5611 Rakkasans

[@dartdude4084]

My grandpa was a Rakkasan during the Korean War.

[@user-qj6hi9qz8l]

Had it not been for 32 countries toppled Saddam Hussein, he would have swallowed America. But the cowards killed Saddam Hussein.

[@CCM1199]

1-187 was with us in 2005's deployment in IRAQ. MND-N, FOB Summerall, TF 101AR (AkA TF Dragoon). That was the worst deployment for any unit in country as it was the most dangerous tour of all deployments.

[@killervito]

Semper fi to all my soldier brothers, corpsman and airmen.

[@thomasknight1172]

This is amazing to watch. I was there with 2/70th Ar.

[@CC-8891]

I served under MSG Joseph Aiello, great guy. 👍

[@kevinu9320]

To all that served, and to the ones that passed. Thank you for you're service I have much respect!

[@evan6898]

thank you for you are service?

[@kevinu9320]

@uzair ahmed I don't think I mentioned Blackwater did I? If you have no respect for USA military piss on you! Blackwater are contracters not soldiers that's why it's called Blackwater they strip them and make them do dirty b.s.. I agree on black water but the 🇺🇸 military has all my respect.

[@Luffy-jw4pu]

They killed innocents.

[@danoneall4013]

Iraq posed NO THREAT to the USA. You people are so blind. China and Russia had always been the biggest threat. Now look.

[@Smacked420]

@@Luffy-jw4pu Russian bot

[@jt5592]

I’ve always searched for OIF with miles and miles of tanks and US soldiers waving to the news before the invasion. I yet to see that footage ever again. Like EVER

[@TheAmerican1963]

Question.....how much did, or does, the type of terrain Tanks operate on affect driveline and tracks???

[@Wofski]

Awesome video!

[@ArmyUniversityPress]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@danielnovabrower]

Ahhh the good ol days.

[@elijahschott9978]

41:49, an adventure I'll never forget. Things I dream about. 2nd Brigade 3rd Infantry Division. Didn't cover thunder run.

[@melissagibson8462]

Wild & Free Forever 3rd ID 2nd Brigade 26th fsb Top Flite Convoy Security! We’re still here for all of you that’s asking!!

[@ss-qm5hz]

War monger.

[@xisotopex]

they cover the thunder run in this one... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmnYknmQdt2tptk

[@Mgreen0104]

Some wars unfortunately are necessary. Sadaam dropped nuclear bombs on his own people! Someone has to fight for the People.

[@stinkfist4205]

Got to Baghdad in April 03, did a year in Baghdad and then moved to An Mahmoudiyah to shoot 155mm hot gun rotations. 1AD 2BCT 4/27 FA

[@user-ix3en1zd7n]

(Notes / points of interest) 22:35 23 March 507th -POW 9 24:59 23 March 6-6Cav 1-227th-POW 2

[@paulrevere2379]

The disaster with the 507th Maint. Company (-) demonstrated how essential it is for ALL ground operations commissioned officers and senior troop NCOs to understand and practice good map reading and land navigation. This is a problem bound to occur even more in future conflicts with an ever growing over-reliance on technology over basic warrior skills.

[@franciscom8153]

Home of the Brave baby I love my Country!! God bless our Warriors!!

[@jeanc.m.a3982]

Your name is Francisco where are you from ? Mexico fuck off anybody can be brave when you in a tank against a dude in flip flops I mean you can see what happen in Vietnam or Somalia or ww2 where the only way they beat Japan was with the nuclear bomb

[@jaidenmead1239]

@@jeanc.m.a3982 Yes but who won :0

[@jeanc.m.a3982]

@@jaidenmead1239 oh don’t worry whatever ya did to Iraq is going to hurt a lot more to the USA when they fall if shit continue going the way is going with them ridiculous trump supporters your country is divided and is in a really really bad place lol and is only going to get worse

[@fhl1996]

@@jeanc.m.a3982 You Go And fight against USA 😂😂😂😂

[@jeanc.m.a3982]

@@fhl1996 I can’t I live in the USA is the country I love 💕 💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️❤️❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕💕

[@edenrosejensen944]

My dad worked with the third ID as a translator. I remember Captain CORN . I wish I can get a hold of him !!!

[@shawnweed265]

This was very well done. I was one of the DIV Planners with 3ID and we started work on this in JUL 2002...The initial plan had neither the 3ID or 1MARDIV going into Baghdad proper. The SF (5th group if I remember correctly.) were to work with Shia separatists in SADR City and foment a revolution to oust Saddam's political control from within. The agility of 2/3 and guys like COL Perkins, LTC Wesley, and 3ID leaders like, MG Blount, BG Austin, and BG Weber, and LTC Baer, to exploit the ground situation and the Special Republican Guard's vulnerable disposition, then think up and conduct the Thunderrun, is one of the most impressive operational decisions in recent military history. I tell you, 3ID had a great team.

[@user-rg8om8sz7k]

👞💣Toyou

[@shawnweed265]

@@user-rg8om8sz7k lol...Bless your heart, aren't you special.

[@oldreliable40]

my troops that i knew did'nt give a s-ht about iraq!! we did'nt git involved with the " politics" of the job"!!! we had no say!! peace to all the combatants!!! im proud of the units i knew of! the 3 rd i.d. and the 11 th a.c.r.!!! allons!!

[@johnkamau-hb3sx]

😊😊😊😊😊

[@matt8104]

Not relevant to this video but OIF V, 3ID CAB camp striker, "the Surge" wow what an experience! Rock of the Marne!

[@tfs203]

Great Documentaries!! Would love to see one on the Battle of Jutland!

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Watch Drachinifel's 3 part series on that.

[@burants89]

American logistics is pretty awesome, don't think any other country could match it when it comes to this area of combat

[@codyweien4513]

Delicate, wouldnt be nearly as impressive against a real Nation... The u.s's shipping network had no threat, iraq has no navy or airforce to shootdown cargo planes and sink shipping freighters..

[@1939rommel]

@@codyweien4513 Even without active threats its still impressive and something no other country has the capability of pulling off. It's even more impressive when one considers all the lives American logistics has saved from all around the world. A couple of examples include rapid response to the 2004 boxing day tsunami, flooding in Pakistan, earthquake in Haiti, Japanese tsunami, etc. America even has a hospital ship they send to different poor countries where they perform thousands of operations for people who have no access to care. Even the operation to find and free the kids trapped in a tunnel in Thailand was organized by the American military even if all the rescue divers were from other countries. Just as in world war 2 should the need arise they would certainly provide assets to protect their supply lines.

[@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl]

@@1939rommel Now 8 months later they can't organize sufficient face masks and testing kits for its population. You certainly got your priorities right.

[@basedsavage4793]

Well they need good logistics for never ending waras

[@bigbcor]

This aged absolutely terribly. We’re you a Russian troll back then too?

[@shadymaint1]

I was part of that drive to Bahgdad.

[@matthewpalach2688]

I love you more than you know. Yourself and your unit made it so much safer for mine and myself to go through there. Fuck brother, I owe you my life

[@Max-ye9xg]

Iraq did show people that the us army is super experienced and intelligent in Warfare at the doctorate-level

[@T.C.216]

I was in CSC Scania; FOB Kalsu 03-04 - LSA Diamondback (Mosul); FOB Sykes ( TalAfar) 05-06 - FOB Echo (Diwaniyah) 07-09

[@jeremychapman8736]

1st Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment 3rd Bde 3rd Infanty DIvision I was there for all of that

[@donaldlamendola1392]

I guess they forgot that we had been in Kuwait since March of 2002 as well. Also did you notice that they never mentioned that 1-15 is who actually ended up securing As Samawah?

[@1976outsider]

1/30th Battle Boars! 3/3rd myself, we escorted 1st BDE north to the airport...... and man did they need it!!!!

[@Kris-xm3lp]

I was a gunner with 1/3 ada 3rd id

[@HowlingWo1f]

We never should’ve been in this war! But Thank you to our amazing veterans & servicemen and women You all are brave heroes.

[@wetwriterrr]

Why do you say we shouldn't have invaded Iraq?

[@HowlingWo1f]

@@wetwriterrr Well for one the 3000 thousand dead Americans, & thousands dismembered, as well as Thousands upon thousands of innocent dead Iraqi civilians, all On a lie and false pretenses of them having weapons of mass destruction. And the result is things Have not become better for them or for Stability in the Middle East but only much worse and we have thrown the Middle East into a complete chaos. But the military industrial complex are making billions and that’s what really counts 🤪

[@johnkonrad5040]

Agreed. Excellent documentary, well produced and researched. But should have never happened.

[@wetwriterrr]

@@HowlingWo1f you are forgetting one BIG point: Sadam was to allow U.N. inspectors to search everywhere but he repeatedly throw them out. The U. N. could not verify Iraq did not have those weapons or facilities to manufacture. The USA gave several warnings for those inspectors must return. Sadam was evil and defient. America and Allies solved the problem, both problems. Sadam started that war. s

[@johnkonrad5040]

@@wetwriterrr There were multiple indications made by the UN that more or less verified Iraq possessed no WMDs nor capability to produce them. Additionally, the claims that Iraq *did* have WMDs were never verified either by the CIA or MI6. Had it not been for political interference, those assessments would have simply been thrown in the trash bin. Nothing was solved, hundreds of thousands died. Millions were forced to flee, Islamic fundamentalism spread like a cancer. And then we got ISIS. And Iraq's continued government dis-function. I won't debate Saddam's lacking morality, but all things considered... Too high of a fucking butcher's bill.

[@Gruntmike54]

Good documentary. But why at 32:57 is there a camel on a roof? I've been to Iraq never saw that before!

[@Rey_M]

Hi! Former Dog Face Soldier here (Rock of The Marne). Very detailed documentary. Excellent. But I would add something to this that you didn't mention. At objective peach( Karbala gap), we had Intel that we'll encounter chemicals and a biological attack. As well that the Iraqis were planning on blowing the dam while we were driving by. Also, something very important, that bridge was not 100 stable. I (my crew and I in our vehicle) got hit by an RPG that hit on the left corner of our vehicle. The bridge was partially destroyed. And the red storm, yes, you couldn't see 5 feet in front of you during the daytime. And 0 visibility at night. NVG didn't help at all. I graduated BCT on 27 September 02. Did one rotation to NTC October/November, and on Jan 5, 03, I was in Camp Pennsylvania. With cold showers and no heat. I was 19 years old.

[@AliWazny]

Hi 👋 bro

[@Rey_M]

@@AliWazny 🫡 hi brother

[@AliWazny]

@@Rey_M good morning dear

[@AliWazny]

U have been in iraq in the army usa

[@Rey_M]

@AliWazny hello habibty

[@ChexQuest]

Curious as to why there wasnt more mention of the actions on the other side of the Euphrates, and also the battle of nasiriyah was overlooked almost entirely. Big friendly fire incident there.

[@nicknewton3390]

This video is more focused on the Army’s operations, Nasiriyah was primarily Marines.

[@craigmackay7691]

Was it that a10 that strafed marines in aav's?

[@markbrisec3972]

Never knew that the tracks on tanks have to be replaced so soon. I thought they were good for at least 2-3000 miles. Guess I was wrong. Those suckers wear down much sooner, together with the wheels that power them.. You live you learn..

[@Longo556]

I can’t remember seeing tank parts, but there were AAV rubber pads all over the roads.

[@rexmasters1541]

I was on an LAV during this. We had all the fuel and oil we needed, ammo and other small stuff was hard to get. Batteries for our NODS we did not ever have. We had to ask to have our families send us the small stuff we needed. Pretty sad the US Marine Corps could not even supply us will small batteries. I remember rolling back to a FOB with 11 rounds for my entire crew. Pretty sad when 8 Marines only have 11 rounds between them .

[@angelocedeno1906]

2-69 armor fort benning kelly hill

[@vivzorz]

This is really well made, I appreciate the insight. It is so interesting to observe contrast in professionalism of American armed forces invading Iraq in 2003 vs the Russians invading Ukraine in 2022. Many civilians struggle to appreciate the benefit of having a military with high standards of training and conduct for all enlisted.

[@michaelemory552]

Noted, regarding The Ukraine, sadly. With all the impressiveness of coalition forces - training , tech, logistics,…- the event at min. 40 with the decision of Col. Hughes based upon Al-Weili’s awareness of the larger situation strikes me greatly. The images of backing down with empathy was shown on evening news then. It should be this way when possible. Build bridges. Then on the evening news was later seen bad behavior at Abu Ghraib detainment. I heard myself blurt out, “We just lost it.” Be good and well.

[@bensmith8284]

I don't think we struggle with it, most people can just see through the smoke. Mexico, Canada isn't trying to invade the US. I live in a military town, I respect what they do, many of my closest friends are all lifelong military and they know they aren't saving American lives, they are collecting a paycheck. Lets be adults here. There are clearly benefits to having the worlds most powerful military but these wars were just to enrich the MIC, the govnt doesnt care about soldiers, if they did we wouldn't have to fight so hard to get more funding and better services at the VA.. and its still crappy. Iraq didn't have any nuclear missiles, if they did we wouldn't have invaded that's how we know that didn't have. North Korea is never going get invaded, they got nukes. Least Trump said the reality when we left troops in Syria, he said it was to get control of the oil wells, which is illegal but everyone knows that's the only reason. We don't care about any1 in the Middle East, if they didn't have oil we never would have been there.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

I led one of these convoys in 2004.

[@Broken_dish]

i cant help but thinking about all the people i talked to complaining how they felt there ar did not have enough stopping power from the start till the end it seems so absurd that a war can go on for so long and to help our troops they did not give them even a upgraded version with more power it blows my mind...if my troops told me this id spend every moment trying to fix this knowing that deaths may happen because of this situation...and even still today as we prepare for near peer fight witch will most likely be at greater ranges the troops will need a weapon with higher range and power i hope this changes soon

[@user-bk9my5vj5b]

1st Armored Division, 1st Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry out of Budingen Germany, detached to V Corps. We got deployed 3 days after President Bush ordered us in on March 3rd. We arrived in Camp Udari, Kuwait, to modify 15 OH-58D helicopters, 26 days later, we pulled/flew into BIAP. We didn't run into much opposition on the way to BIAP, which shows just how thorough the main attacking units cleared the route. There was always threats of IED's. The 1st Armored Division was the first Division to get extended from 12 months to a 15-month deployment. To all fellow warriors/troops and civilian employees a heart felt thanks from 1 thankful Cavalry trooper, we earned those spurs on this one.

[@brucepoole8552]

Great video, you guy’s did a fantastic job, but our politicians failed.

[@user-qj6hi9qz8l]

Had it not been for 32 countries toppled Saddam Hussein, he would have swallowed America. But the cowards killed Saddam Hussein.

[@Yank-brain]

Thank you for your service. This was a phenomenal victory for Iraq and America

[@reallyhappenings5597]

A victory for Iraq? We gutted the country so completely that it became like a petri dish for terrorism. ISIS in Mosul was the end result of this masterpiece of logistical planning.

[@ahmadjarrad2635]

What….?

[@mohammedjamal4446]

😂 f u

[@matthewcallis3470]

Awesome. I was there. I was communications and set up at the berm, The tanks rolled in in front of us and the MLRS set up behind us for the invasion into Iraq. MLRS shot over us and Tanks shot in front of us. Then we entered shortly after. Too cool.

[@prentice9875]

My brother was in the unit from 05-07

[@melissagibson8462]

3rd ID 2nd Brigade 26th FSB Top Flite Convoy Security !!! Rock of the Marne!! Send me!

[@mohamedbaghdadi778]

The most beautiful thing about this war is that Iraq is offering a gift on a golden plate to Iran.

[@jamesvazquez2491]

And sadly that fact is lost. The American public is so bombarded with other issues and distractions whether it be Trump, covid, name whatever you like. We gave it to the mullahs on a silver platter and nobody here seems to even realize it

[@1k20a]

Isis had no problem defeating any Iran or Iraq defenders and only after the USA gave both Iraqi and Iran help was isis defeated. Iran is not seen as a big problem atm.

[@RANDYJR72]

This was great! What a time to be in the Army during the invasion. I was in the 720th MP Bn out of Ft Hood attached to the 18th MP BDE out of Germany. All those convoy escorts and clearing out routes and towns by passed during the Thunder Run. All those years of training coming fruition where it paid off. Brought all my guys back home without a scratch. Great educational video.

[@christianleblanc2842]

Fuerza America.

[@GruntProof]

Best and worst times of our lives, and a complete waste of time, money, and lives.

[@1k20a]

So many civilian rage about this war yet the majority of the soldiers say they would do it all again! Thank you to all the brave that have served♡

[@mkrump9403]

Yeah but civilian dont like the idea to have an (soldiers) army controlling their buildings, streets and lifestyle. Or seeing their best boys coming back with trauma (familial, physic and mental). It's not something enjoyable from spectator's view.

[@chansesyres4117]

Can't wait until the next one!!

[@manicabawse2867]

Good work liberating those oil wells

[@CCM1199]

I was with the 1-10 CAV, 4th AVN BDE 4th ID when OIF I kicked off. We were supposed to push from the north via Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. But Turkey refused to let U.S. forces conduct operations from Incirlik AB so we had to reroute our vehicles from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf and eventually download our vehicles in Kuwait. we ended up following 3rd ID behind them by almost a week in operations. By 1MAY03 we got word that combat operations Ceased. I arrived on Kuwaiti soil on my birthday on 31MAR03. We were at Camp Udari, Kuwait. until we got the mission order to push north.

[@DobermansRock]

My only complaint with this is it only portrays the very first in. My unit crossed the berm 22 April 2003 and we were a heavy unit as well. #RD ACR was not mentioned at all. The convoy was a freaking insane race between units and bottlenecks we would all get us mixed up. It was wild times.

[@picsomar7028]

Joe Schmalzel Exactly. I was with 4TH ID, A Co 4 FSB (Pack Horse) attached to B Co 1/22 IN (Regulars) attached to 3/66 AR convoyed from Kuwait to Bayji airfield north of Tikrit.

[@DobermansRock]

@@picsomar7028 Our stories cannot be taken from us. I want to write a book.

[@jsandra860]

101st B Co 3/187 from Camp New York to Baghdad and beyond! Super wild times, come back ammo black and re-armed no questions asked. ROE’s changed big time 2nd and 3rd time over there.....

[@DobermansRock]

@@jsandra860 Second and 3rd rotations turned into a garrison deployment. Or so everyone who went back told me.

[@jsandra860]

@@DobermansRock 2nd deployment, ALOT of convoy security, QRF and OP’s. 3rd deployment, I was with Multinational Forces Iraq (MNFI) and had some serious fun with the aussies and brits!

[@adamwilson2227]

Literally all these spots were my AO in 2004

[@markfutchll8141]

Oh snap

[@inannamardokh995]

On that day as ASSYRIAN Christians, my family in Baghdad was threatened by some Muslim to be assassinated and killed, I was in Canada studying Computer Engineering, my 2 boys stuck in Baghdad, their father passed away in 2001...also, we had a new house built beside the airport was taken by force by some Muslim Iranian. We asked the troops to help... but unfortunately no one could help us, my dad had a Stroke and became paralyzed, he died in duhok... and I lost my 5 siblings around the world each of us now is in a different country... For 18 years we never gathered again together... for 11 years now I didn't see my elderly mom . She is alone in north Iraq... nothing really changed... just lately after isis the currpoted government destroyed Nineveh gate of Nargal... And today is our 6771 ASSYRIAN Babylonian Akkadian New Year... Happy New Year to you All... I'm sure you all drank from the water of our revers, so I am sure you will miss it... just like me 😑🕯

[@markbrisec3972]

Logistics and supply chain are two components of the warfare that are often overlooked cause they're not sexy and they don't blow things up. But I would call them the most important components of the modern combined arms and joint service warfare. Having fuel, food, spare parts and ammunition at the right place at the right time is incredibly important and hard to plan and execute. That is especially important for the US ground forces since those Abrams beasts suck the fuel like crazy.

[@xisotopex]

5 support personnel for every trigger puller? many a battle has been lost solely due to bad logistics. doesnt matter how well you fight, the war is lost when you run out of ammo and gas and food.

[@s.turner7144]

I've taken part of many supply runs back and forth from Kuwait. I wasn't a 92A, but always volunteered to go in order to show my support from the Turret with the 50cal up top of the 5ton.

[@ronsmith4927]

Welp, Russia definitely did not learn this lesson!

[@jameslyddall]

That comment can’t be more true then now. Look at Russia and how Ukraine is targeting its logistics.

[@randymassey1559]

The rapid assault reminded me of pattons charge across France in ww2

[@Mocha69A]

In desert storm we rolled long and deep into Iraq . Know they can move far.

[@kararkarar6545]

Why did your damned country open to Saddam by launching air strikes and he killed thousands of persecuted Shiites?

[@Amy-dk3of]

@@kararkarar6545 ask the top officials in the government.

[@kararkarar6545]

​@@Amy-dk3of its long story you will dont get it

[@kararkarar6545]

@@realWARPIGI know that who is spoke for freedom, equality and safety from within is the mother of evil

[@stickyjocky]

Me and my friend where fighting there. I got hit in the leg and my friend died. 🙏🏻

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Soldiers from the IV infantry division captured saddam huessin in the rabbit hole. That helped MG Raymond Odierno to make full general and then become chief of staff US Army.

[@echohunter4199]

I was in 2-6 INF, 1st Armor Division, we left Kuwait and 3 days later on 19 May 03 we arrived at “cross sabers” at the green zone and downloaded vehicles. We set up our Bn TOC at a mansion next to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the rest of the Bn set up temporary shop at the stadium and various buildings around the zoo. In the beginning things were calm as the Iraqis were still calm but little by little we had to deal with ambushes. Our artillery units were used to secure various checkpoints and intersections which was a mistake since the M-109 SP gun is not designed to slug it out with RPG’s and those vehicles were hit periodically and we took losses. As an E-7 I voiced my concern to use other personnel and/or vehicles but it was declined. In late July the 3rd ID loaded up their vehicles at Cross Sabers (there was a little problem with a mortar track that caught fire and cooked off mortar rounds for a couple hours, nobody was hurt but frag was everywhere, lol). Our BCT was moved to a former Iraqi army base at Al Rashid near the defunct nuclear reactor where we set up for the next 10 months or so. We were co-located with an Air Cav unit and assumed occupational operations until moved to FOB St. Michael’s in April 2004 where things got pretty interesting until our redeployment to Baumholder, Germany in July 04. We all learned a lot of valuable lessons in our time there and I pray these lessons are not forgotten for future conflicts. One last thing I implore new leaders to understand is that when you do convoys or LOGPAC runs, DO NOT stick to a slow speed if the terrain allows high speed travel, you’ll become a predictable target. We kept road speeds at a minimum of 55 MPH and if the vehicle joining the convoy at the RP wasn’t capable of those speeds, it stayed at the FOB! Each vehicle MUST have a tow bar AND all the adapter feet!!! Again, if you didn’t have the adapters to the tow bar, you stayed at the FOB! We established a buddy system so when a vehicle broke down, the buddy would pull over, establish local security then hook up and haul ass. The benefit of the high speed convoys allowed the rear security HMMWV’s to identify and civilian VBIED’s trying to maneuver close to the rear of the convoy, the 240 gunner could easily take them out. And use a technique our Vietnam era counterparts used which is called “recon by fire” if something on the side of the road looks suspicious, put a burst of 240 in it, if it blows up, it was an IED, if not, oh well. Same for a pile of rocks or dirt, even a dead dog was used for masking IED’s. Human life is worth next to nothing to them so don’t hesitate to engage. We did have a 10 year old kid walk up to a HMMWV and drop a hand grenade in the passenger foot well so keep kids away as well.

[@kskeel1124]

"Peace and security in the region" 20 years later?

[@jimhollywood2763]

Such is this world. It is Darwinian.

[@drlca6601]

yah nuts lol

[@swallowmyplantain3337]

They're much better off now

[@willyho2g]

On March 19 president George Bush announced the beginning of milatary operations in Iraq. On March 18th my ass was already in Iraq lol

[@tfs203]

That happens all the time. Many Operations are just never announced, for Political reasons, in places no one knows we are.

[@Evocati-Augusti]

I knew of SAS and SF forces going on Scud missile hunts early on. in the first war, a group of SAS soldiers got fcked when they landed in the wrong place and were kill or captured called Zero Two Bravo. I was at Prince Sultan Air Base, as USAF HUMINT in April.

[@scottjurrjens8954]

@@Evocati-Augusti there was also a bunch of SASR guys there pretty early on

[@JoshEmerson0421]

That's called good op sec

[@Evocati-Augusti]

@@JoshEmerson0421 do you mean Opsec(Operational Security)

[@shpejtimzenuni7185]

i have been there about 3 years

[@asdnetwork4268]

And the area has been peaceful ever since.....

[@daspiper8941]

All I know is that the IF Veterans had much better technology that we VN Veterans had. We were a world apart. The IF Vets used their weapons well.

[@joegriego3091]

Vietnam war soldiers were still using WWII tactics and sometimes, equipment with upgrades.

[@sachinshetty7551]

I heard stability?

[@thepresident1971]

Yes but its BS to promote the war business

[@robwasilewski9273]

It's crazy I served under General Frank's during operation desert fox 1998-1999.

[@aghaayubahmadzai3046]

Today on 23/05/2020 at 01:49, I discovered this documentary Army University Press about the US Invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today its the night of 29th of Ramadan and I will watch this documentary later on.

[@Foreign0817]

My 1SG was a PFC in the 101st during the invasion. He enlisted after 9/11.

[@johnllynch7585]

The CGI looks a lot like "Combat Mission: Shock Force," a computer game produced by Battlefront.