Operation Northern Delay

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Operation Northern Delay
Part of 2003 Invasion of Iraq
Date March 26, 2003
Location Bashur Airfield, Iraq
Result
Belligerents
Flag of the United States United States
Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Flag of Iraq Iraqi Republican Guard
Strength
1,000+ Americans
less than 40 british
Unknown

On March 26, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, SETAF's 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted a parachute assault into Northern Iraq. More than 1,000 paratroopers jumped into Bashur Airfield in a historical and critical mission. The operation forced the Iraqi Army to maintain approximately six divisions in the area to protect its northern flank, providing strategic relief for Coalition Forces advancing on Baghdad.