Logistics in the Iraq War: “A Herculean feat”

“Good generals study tactics. Great generals study logistics”

 

Battle Plan

 

This diagram presents a top-level overview of the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) battle plan. Once executed, it generally reflects what happened. However, it's worth noting that this graphic shows only the main combat forces. 

 

The Army (dark blue arrow) would invade to the west of the Euphrates River, and the Marines (light blue arrow) would invade on the east side. Each would maintain separate command and control organizations and procedures. Altogether, about 130,000 troops in Kuwait were ready to go, and another 100,000 or so were in the region around Iraq.

 

The Army’s V Corps led the way for the Army; it included the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), the 101st (ABN) Division, the 2nd Brigade 82nd Airborne (ABN) Division, and Special Operations Forces (SOF). The 4th ID was originally included but was delayed due to issues with Turkey. It arrived after Baghdad was taken. I will address the 4th ID saga later.

 

The First Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) included the 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) and the British 1st Armored Division. 

 

In addition, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Harry Truman Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) were in the region. The aircraft carriers were kept in the eastern Mediterranean for air operations over Iraq. At the same time, members of their strike groups, destroyers, and submarines moved into the Red Sea, able to launch cruise missile attacks.

 

The 3rd ID, the “Rock of Marne,” employed three armored brigades (BDEs), the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd BDEs. 

 

The 3rd ID crossed the line of departure and went up through the west side of the Euphrates and crossed near Karbala, the dark blue arrow on the map. 

 

The 1 MARDIV stayed on the east side of the Euphrates (light blue arrow) and crossed the Tigris near Al Kut. The British 1st Armored Division swung east to Basra (small light blue arrow). I MEF forces took the Umm Qasr port and as many oilfields as they could that were not burning. The Marines and Brits worked together.

 

The mission was for the 3rd ID and the 1st MARDIV to go to Baghdad as quickly as possible. Everyone else supported them.

 

The 101st ABN Division (short white arrow) would secure An Najaf to facilitate the 3rd ID running through the Karbala Gap, while the 2nd BDE 82nd ABN (long white arrow), originally slated to parachute into and secure the Baghdad International Airport, was instead tasked with taking As Samawah. 

 

The Karbala Gap was essential. It was a chokepoint 50-60 miles south-southwest of Baghdad. The Gap is about 25 miles wide between the Euphrates River and Razaza Lake. Karbala City, with a population of over 500,000, is in the middle.

 

The US expected Saddam's frontline forces to defend the Gap. The US forces would have to take them down and break through, after which it was a straight shot to Baghdad.

 

The 3rd ID and 1 MARDIV arrived outside Baghdad at about the same time, in early April 2003, a remarkable achievement. Remember, they crossed the line of departure on March 19.

 

The Logistics Plan