Iraqi Freedom Pillows

Turkey finally allowed American overflights on 23 March. This allowed Task Force Viking to expand to 50 individual Special Forces Operational Detachments-Alpha (ODAs) (formerly known as A-Teams.) Reinforcing the ODAs on 26 March, the 173rd made a combat jump onto Bashur airfield 40 miles (64 km) north of the "Green Line". This was the largest airborne assault since World War II. The 173d assumed the security mission of Bashur from 10th Group ODA's and Peshmerga, receiving the airborne insertion of 1st Infantry Division armor on 7 April, followed by the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: "Two hours after a deadline for Saddam Hussein and his two sons expired George W. Bush opened the war on Iraq with a cruise missile strike on a home in Baghdad where Saddam was believed to have been along with one or more of his sons. The attack began shortly after 6:00 am on March 20, 2003 and was followed up with a limited invasion by Army and Navy forces moving into Iraq from Kuwait. These initial strikes were followed up by a heavy aerial bombardment and full invasion two days later.

The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. An estimated 151,000 to 600,000 or more Iraqis were killed in the first 3–4 years of conflict. The U.S. became re-involved in 2014 at the head of a new coalition; the insurgency and many dimensions of the civil armed conflict continue. The invasion occurred as part of a declared war against international terrorism and its sponsors under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush following the September 11 terrorist att

The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. An estimated 151,000 to 600,000 or more Iraqis were killed in the first 3–4 years of conflict. The U.S. became re-involved in 2014 at the head of a new coalition; the insurgency and many dimensions of the civil armed conflict continue. The invasion occurred as part of a declared war against international terrorism and its sponsors under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush following the September 11 terrorist att

The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. An estimated 151,000 to 600,000 or more Iraqis were killed in the first 3–4 years of conflict. The U.S. became re-involved in 2014 at the head of a new coalition; the insurgency and many dimensions of the civil armed conflict continue. The invasion occurred as part of a declared war against international terrorism and its sponsors under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush following the September 11 terrorist att

The 37th IBCT deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 2007–2008 included over 2,528 soldiers from Ohio and Michigan. This was at that time the largest deployment since World War II of one single unit from both states. The brigade was under the command of Colonel Richard T. Curry and conducted operations throughout Iraq and Kuwait. Missions included: SECFOR and port security operations, convoy security and escort, provincial reconstruction team security, Ramadi Provincial Government Center security, base camp force protection and command and control, Kabarri Crossing security, combat patrols, QRF (quick reaction force), ARF (area reaction force) and training of host nation military forces.

I am an operation iraqi freedom veteran -- because I am. Made for my fellow OIF Veterans.

In December 2006, 2nd BCT deployed once again to Iraq in support of OIF. On 4 January 2007, 2nd Brigade deployed to northern Bagdad in the Sumer and Talbiyah district, returning 8 March 2008. On 4 June 2007, 1st Brigade deployed to Southern Iraq, returning 15 July 2008. Since the deployment began, the division has lost 37 paratroopers. Since 11 September 2001, the division has lost 20 paratroopers in Afghanistan and 101 paratroopers in Iraq

In March 2003, 1-325, 2–325 and 3-325th INF of the 2nd BCT was attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment as part of a special operations task force to conduct a parachute assault to seize Saddam International Airport in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 21 March 2003, Company D crossed the Saudi Arabia–Iraq border as part of Task Force Hunter to escort rocket artillery indirect fire systems to destroy Iraqi artillery

IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran - Combat Veteran

The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. An estimated 151,000 to 600,000 or more Iraqis were killed in the first 3–4 years of conflict. The U.S. became re-involved in 2014 at the head of a new coalition; the insurgency and many dimensions of the civil armed conflict continue. The invasion occurred as part of a declared war against international terrorism and its sponsors under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush following the September 11 terrorist att

Shorja Market was once the Jewish Quarter of Baghdad, before pogroms in 1950 and 1968 saw their eviction from the city and Iraq. During OIF several attacks against this "soft" target by insurgents killed dozens of innocent people.

Begun in 1980, Tourist Island was an amusement park for Iraqis on the Tigris River north of Baghdad. Once the home of restaurants, a marina, an outdoor theater and an amphitheater, it was occupied by the Iraqi Army prior to the beginning of the Iraq War... which resulted in an ex-amusement park following the fighting.

Built in 1227 CE the Mostansiriya Madrasa was a place of learning built by an Abbasid caliph. It is considered the first university of its time. It once contained a sophisticated water clock.

Dhi Qar is a governate. The city being referred to might be Nasiriyah, the principal city of the governate. If so, this was the site of the Coalition's farthest advance in Desert Storm and of the ambush during OIF which saw several soldiers from the 11th ADA Brigade captured.

Fish are a big deal in Baghdad, or at least that's what I was told. With the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meeting there I guess fish would definitely be on the menu. Unfortunately, never had a chance to dine at a local restaurant...

Named after Abu-Nawas, a classical Arabic poet, this street runs along the east bank of the Tigris River. The United States spent considerable money to try to improve the street and bring back businesses during the Insurgency.

The statues of Scheherazade and King Shahyar reenact the story of 1001 And One Nights, in which the wife of the king tells a different story every night in order to put off her execution. The statues were one of the important local landmarks in Baghdad.

Legend has it that the monument to Iraq's "victory" over Iran was made out of the melted steel of Iranian army helmets. The arms holding the swords are supposedly copies of Saddam's arms... on a smaller scale, of course. In any case, definitely worth visiting while in the Green Zone!

The 864th Engineer Battalion is a combat engineer battalion of the United States Army based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The battalion is a subordinate unit of 555th Engineer Brigade. In March 2003, the 864th Engineer Battalion deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Battalion supported V Corps in the attack to liberate Iraq and during post-hostilities conducted extensive airfield construction and general engineering in support of CJTF-7 Operations.

When you really want an adventure when you go to Baghdad, fly Iraqi Airlines! Ba'ath-free Since 2003!

I must have picked this up at the souk. Part of the "Magnets of the Global War on Terror."

In December 2003, the 201st was again called to active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion was subordinated to the 197th Fires Brigade of the New Hampshire National Guard. The 197th reported directly to III Corps Artillery. The unit spent one year in Iraq before returning home in February 2005. The Battalion's mission was convoy security and route clearance for Main Supply Route (MSR) Tampa, the primary route for supplies in Iraq at the time.

Road sign for the greatest American highway that isn't in America...

The Parachute Rigger Badge is a military qualification badge of the United States Army and the United States Air Force which was first created in 1948 and officially approved in June 1986. The award is intended as a badge for enlisted, warrant officer and officer personnel who have successfully completed parachute rigger courses specified by the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, one of 4 brigades in the Army's modular 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), has about 3,600 soldiers overall. The Brigade is located on Kelley Hill, 6 miles from the Fort Benning's Main Post. The mission of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team is to alert, upload and deploy by air, sea, and land anywhere in the world to conduct mobile, combined arms offensive and defensive operations. As part of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team stands ready to move at a moments notice.

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Iraq and Afghanistan Operations Iraqi Freedom New Dawn Operation Enduring Freedom

The 14th Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. It has two squadrons that provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for Stryker brigade combat teams. Constituted in 1901, it has served in conflicts from the Philippine–American War to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The 14th Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. It has two squadrons that provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for Stryker brigade combat teams. Constituted in 1901, it has served in conflicts from the Philippine–American War to the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The 14th Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. It has two squadrons that provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for Stryker brigade combat teams. Constituted in 1901, it has served in conflicts from the Philippine–American War to the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The 14th Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. It has two squadrons that provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for Stryker brigade combat teams. Constituted in 1901, it has served in conflicts from the Philippine–American War to the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The United States Army Special Forces, known as the Green Berets because of their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force tasked with five primary missions: unconventional warfare (the original and most important mission of Special Forces), foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism. The first two emphasize language, cultural, and training skills in working with foreign troops. Other duties include combat search and rescue (CSAR), counter-narcotics, counter-proliferation, hostage rescue, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian demining, information operations, peacekeeping, psychological operations, security assistance, and manhunts; other components of the United States...

The 14th Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. It has two squadrons that provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for Stryker brigade combat teams. Constituted in 1901, it has served in conflicts from the Philippine–American War to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The 12th Cavalry is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. . After Operation Iraqi Freedom II, the 12th Cavalry Regiment underwent a major transition as elements from 2/7CAV, 1/9CAV, and 3/8CAV were reflagged and combined with the regiment to create the battalions currently in service. The 2nd Battalion, Twelfth Cavalry Regiment, as well as 2/7CAV and 1/9CAV moved to the 4th Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) On September 11, 2001 the United States of America was the victim of a series of suicide bombings. Nineteen members of a terrorist organization boarded commercial passenger airplanes, hijacked them, and subsequently crashed them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and into the Pentagon. Following the attacks, it was discovered that Al-Qaeda, an extremist Islamic militant group, was responsible for these acts of violence. Osama Bin Laden, the terrorist group’s leader, was rumored to be hiding in Afghanistan, where he trained and armed men to perform terrorist acts. While 15 of the 19 people accused of the hijackings were from Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan was chosen as a battl...